Here I Raise My Ebenezer

As I sit in my Quiet Circle, I contemplate the help God provided in the middle of unthinkable endings. It is here that I raise my Ebenezer.

Understand that this Ebenezer is not the curmudgeonly character from Dickens' Christmas Carol. It is a symbolic stone used to commemorate how God showed up, guided, affirmed, protected, extended mercy, and made the path straight when everything was hard for the Israelites. It comes from Prophet Samuel’s prayer for protection in the face of the Philistine army who had all the resources to win. All except God. God stepped in and provided the victory His people needed. In response, “Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying,

‘Thus far the Lord has helped us’ ”

(1 Samuel 7:12).

I affirm that truth today.

Here . . .

Where I fear losing Lisa changes too much,

Where nothing feels normal or settled,

Where my life has more question marks than periods;

I raise my Ebenezer!

Here . . .

Where grief shadows my days

And motivation hides

And simple is complicated;

I raise my Ebenezer!

Here . . .

Where life feels out of sync,

Where I feel stuck

And often lost;

I raise my Ebenezer!

Here . . .

Where I ask which way?

What first?

And when?

I raise my Ebenezer!

Here I know

“This far the Lord has helped me.”

Because I know what He has done this far,

I know He will help me farther.

Here, my faith has found its resting place

And I wait with my Ebenezer stone of promise.

#help