Ebenezer Stones

We didn't have service this past Sunday at my home church so we found ourselves in the familiar second row at FBC with a pew full of my family. It was the first time that I had the pleasure of hearing the Pastor of children and family life preach. The message he prepared was so on time with the close of another year, the reflection of what that year brought, and how God has provided, protected, and pushed us over the last 365 days. As I sat there with my family surrounding me, I began to think back on this dreaded year. I remembered the feeling of fear and trepidation I had exactly one year ago as I tried to swallow the bitter pill of my impending treatments and surgeries. But then I began to tick off the time after times that God showed up. I started stacking my Ebenezer stones....and I couldn't believe the vastness of their number.

The message was taken from the book of 1 Samuel. Samuel was the dedicated son of Hannah and the leader of the Israelites. In the recollection of the battle of Mizpah, God provided the defeat of the Philistines and Samuel took a stone that he named Ebenezer which means "the stone of help" and placed it as a milestone. He told the Israelites while placing the stone that "the Lord has helped us thus far." It was common practice to place a permanent milestone for monumental moments in the Bible. The stones or altars were a reminder of God's presence and power. Furthermore, the stones represented a completion or a beginning. As I sat there, I couldn't help but to see the correlation to my own journey. Thus far, the Lord has provided for me.

Every cancer journey is different but so many of the feelings are the same. The questions along the way that can spiral out of control into a hopeless depression are the same. The yearning for the end is the same. The initial bitterness is the same. How you respond can be vastly different.

I found a peace and a joy this last year. I found out who I was and what I was made of. I deciphered what was important and what/who to let go of. My life has been forever changed.

My Ebenezer stones are too many to number. God provided for me and my family in so many ways in 2024. Unexpected provisions both physically and financially. Every little thing worked out for my good. Every fear was obliterated. In return, my eyes were opened to opportunities to share and comfort others. God used me to be a light. I was encouraged all along the way. I pressed in to his power and strength and I was rewarded with strength and blessings. While many of my stones marked completion, I had just as many that marked new beginnings.

2025 will be the year that I take everything I learned in 2024 and apply it. Intentionality is high on my priority list. Intentionality with my time in prayer and study as well as my time spent alone and with others. Intentionality with my finances. Intentionality with what I put in my body. Yes, I jumped on the sourdough train. I also started canning and preserving last year and have big plans to continue that trend while also making more of my food myself instead of the ultra processed junk on the shelves of every grocery store. I made my own butter and ranch yesterday and will be making my own mayo, mustard, chocolate syrup, soups, and seasonings. It's exciting to tap into your own potential and to take back sustainability. I plan on being self sustaining both physically and mentally by being intentional with the things I do to feed both.

I am believing that my business will continue to thrive and prosper in 2025 as well. I've always loved photography. Being able to capture moments in time for lifelong memories is one of my greatest joys. Spending time with the next generation is a pretty cool added benefit. I still can't believe I have built this thing from the ground up all while going through cancer. It has been a gift and helped me mentally in so many ways. It's truly how I knew that I could do all things through Christ.

2024 broke me. 2024 built me. 2024 changed my life forever. In a weird way, I will always be thankful for 2024, but 2025 is where the rubber is going to meet the road. It's the year to put all I learned into action. I am believing that so much is in store for this year. All I have to do is listen...and then act on what I've been told.

As the minutes of 2024 wind down throughout today, I am waiting anxiously to let the new year in. I will be sure to stay up and watch the sparkly ball drop in Times Square as I fling the door open to let the old year out and new year in. I'll kiss my husband and probably cry as the words "The End" are written on the last page of this 12 month chapter of 2024. The only things I am taking with me into 2025 are intentionality, hope, joy, dedication, and my Ebenezer Stones that I have collected along the way....

Just for today, I am thankful for all of the hurt and heartache. Just for today, I am grateful for the purpose in my pains. Just for today, I will be joyful and hopeful for the year to come. Just for today, I will look back one last time at 2024 and take all it taught me with open arms.

E