I am a true minimalist. I take pride in living by the saying, “less is more.” I don’t collect trinkets and unnecessary things; I prefer to gather only memories and good times! Still, occasionally I will bring home a souvenir to keep special moments close — something that holds deep meaning and reminds me of the happiness I felt.

One keepsake that holds a special place in my heart is a small, pink, lifelike porcelain pig holding a tiny red heart. My father bought it for me when I was eleven years old during a trip along Route 44.  We were searching for my mother, who had left our family to start a new life in California without us. 

Those days were incredibly tough for my father, brother, and me. Our journey from Ontario, Canada to California felt more like a walk through heartbreak and despair than a fun family road trip. When we reached a truck stop, amidst much uncertainty and fear, my father bought me that little pig and handed it to me with a gentle smile. Without saying a word, he comforted my wounded heart with a simple yet meaningful gift. 

Many years later, that little pig, now with a chipped right ear but still holding the heart, sits on my nightstand. It isn’t just a childhood memento — it’s a marker of love and comfort amid chaos. It reminds me that even during the most painful journeys, I was seen, I was loved, and I wasn’t alone.

In its own way, that little pig is a kind of memorial — a tangible reminder of a deeper story. 

As I recently reread Joshua 4, I was struck by how God also uses physical things — stones, in this case — as reminders for His people. Just like my tiny pig holds a piece of my story, those stones held a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness.

Joshua 4 takes place after the death of Moses, as Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan River. Just as God had parted the Red Sea years earlier, He now miraculously stops the flow of the Jordan, allowing the people to cross on dry ground. God instructs Joshua to choose twelve men — one from each tribe — to take twelve stones from the middle of the river, from the spot where the priests stood holding the Ark of the Covenant. The men carry the stones to their campsite at Gilgal, where Joshua sets them up as a memorial.

After everyone has crossed, the priests come up from the river, and the waters return to their usual flow. Joshua then explains the purpose of the memorial: it is to serve as a sign for future generations. When children ask what the stones mean, their parents are to tell the story of how God stopped the waters of the Jordan so His people could cross safely.

According to verse 24, the stones weren’t just for Israel, but “so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty.”

Remembering becomes a testimony — for us and for others.

In a world that forgets easily, stones serve as a reminder of who God is, what He has done, and our responsibility to share our rescue story with others. 

After reading this passage, I took time to reflect on what “stones” in my own river of life could be used to create a memorial. I see these as opportunities to practice what I like to call the “Art of Remembering”–  a way to strengthen our faith in the present, no matter how tough life gets, and to share that hope with others.

The “stones” of our lives — those sacred moments when God has visibly revealed Himself, answered prayers, and made the impossible possible — serve as tangible anchors of past miracles; they strengthen our trust in God for our current and future struggles and uncertainties.

Remembering is essential for us as women of faith, especially during times when silence may seem like evidence of God’s perceived absence. Remembering what God did to help the Israelites (and us) allows us to hold fast to our identity: a people rescued, chosen, and led by a powerful, present God.

Today, my friend, I want to challenge and encourage you to reflect on the many “stones” in your life. The “stones” we collect might include journals, photos, stories, places, or personal markers of God’s faithfulness. Take a moment to pause and remember all that the Lord has already accomplished and thank Him. Praise Him for His steadfast love. 

May these stones serve as a personal reminder of God’s incredible intervention for you. May you remember how your heavenly Father is good and capable of the impossible, again and again.

 

Listen to Ligia’s devotion here or on your favorite podcast app. 

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