Ebenezer Stones

My eyes scan the familiar open interstate and then turn to the young man driving me. I quickly turn back to the road so he doesn’t see my glistening eyes.

Ebenezer stone I think as my heart skips.

20 years ago, on this August day, John and I traveled on this same interstate toward a NICU that held two tiny babies we prayed would soon be our sons.

One of those babies is now driving me toward the next chapter in his story. His brother did the same last week.

August is filled with these Ebenezer Stone moments. Moments that find me looking back in awe at God’s faithfulness in my life. I’m reminded again that God always writes a story much better than I could ever hope to.

As much as I love to look back, remember, and give thanks, on this particularly bright August day that brief rear view shifted my eyes rightly toward the road ahead. And my heart recalibrated to beat in the present.

May I embrace the here and now as the gift it is. May I live a Present-Moment faith, allowing myself to soak in His overflowing graces of today. May I feel the full emotions of this next chapter of my life - not with armor braced for the “what ifs”, but with a softness knit from gratitude and joy for “what is”.

Today brings Ebenezer Stones of its own. And sometimes, just sometimes, they look like the sun shining down on a growing young man driving his mama in a truck.