TRIGGER STONES

098 – OCTOBER 2011
THINK ABOUT IT

Just as a trigger sets a bullet into motion, we have triggers that set our minds into a motion of thought.

My granddaughter, Willow, and I went into a contract to always pick up a penny that was on the street. I gave her a bank with a challenge to see who could pick up the most pennies.
Now, each time I pick up a penny, I think of my agreement with Willow. And this triggers an appreciation of God’s presence and subsequent prayer for family and friends.
It’s pretty cool. I like it.

Why settle for only the reminders that are spontaneous and unexpected? Old Testament Israelites had a great idea. They would place stones and make altars to serve as reminders of significant encounters with God.
In the 4th chapter Joshua, we find the Israelites preparing to cross into the Promised land. As they touch their feet to the swelled waters of the Jordan, God causes the waters to separate and creates a dry passage for them to cross. Joshua immediately instructs 12 men to each carry a stone out of the miraculously dry passage way and place them on the dry land in Gilgal.
Joshua 4:5-7 “… and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder …
that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’
Then you shall answer them … And these stones shall be for a memorial (reminder) to the children of Israel forever.”

They purposely set a visual as a prompt to remember … and not forget.

We all have some on-purpose reminders:
Photographs, wedding bands, carefully placed souvenirs and tchotchke, my Aunt’s clock, my Mom’s swing, and … abandoned pennies.
And yes - Pat and I have placed large rocks in particular places, as prompts to remember great experiences with God & family … so we might not forget.
You may have a place/s where God appeared with a miracle or a life changing experience. A “rock reminder” could serve you well (a trigger) and, when someone comments that the rock in your living room detracts from the décor, you can tell ‘em the story.
Tell ‘em, also, that you pick up pennies!!! Yes, even with ”heads down”!!!
Tell “em it’s an aide-mémoire to pray.
Yes, I speak French! Not really!