Deep in my heart, I know that sense of purpose affects our praise. Describing that connection is a challenge. Maybe we can better understand it when we consider how lack of purpose affects us. During times we don’t see purpose—when disappointed, during a hard time, wondering why we’re alive—we are not in a place of praise but are down, even depressed.

Conversely, when we believe God has a plan and we are part of it, players in something bigger than us, our attitude is one of hope, expectation, and praise. Believing there’s a purpose for our pain and a reason for life’s disappointments, prompts praise and puts a song in our hearts. It’s why Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite verse:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Purpose is a gift—not purpose in our actions as much as trusting the intentionality of God’s wisdom and ways and knowing we fit into His plan. God never does something for nothing – He always has a reason for His actions and it’s always good, whether or not we understand it.

Where are you today—Questioning? Despairing? Praising? Count on the God you cannot see, who has purposes you cannot understand, and possesses plans to give you hope and a future. Let that belief prompt you to praise.

Joshua: “Each of you is to take up a stone… 
to serve as a sign among you.
In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them.”
From Joshua 4:4-7

We’ve collected many stones of remembrance over the years. They weren’t gathered from the middle of the Jordan as the Israelites’ were, but from our personal river-crossing experiences, the times we stood still and witnessed God’s blessing. The stones remind us of His faithfulness and we tell the stories to our children and grandchildren.

One stone reminds us of the search for our first home. As young, new parents this decision was not easy—we prayed over and weighed each prospective opportunity. We were visiting relatives in North Carolina when my father called—he found a house for us. Dad rode by the property, drove directly to the realtor’s office, and made an offer without entering the house. His was the first offer—with eight buyers lined up behind him. If we had been home we would have been in line behind those eight buyers, still dithering about our decision. God knew. The house went on the market when we couldn’t get in His way. He provided—and we remember. We are still awed by His loving care.

Each of our stones represents a grace-filled place where God guided, provided, interrupted,  broke through, and manifested Himself in love, kindness, and mercy. The stones symbolize pivotal times in our lives—one for each birth, each marriage, each home, each church. They remind us of God’s unique creation of every child and grandchild, of His loving care in positioning us where He wants us, and His unique timing in putting us in a specific place at the right moment.

Where were you when God showed up with blessing, protection, or intervention? Share those places with your children and with others. Your story will remind your listeners of places where God has worked in their lives.

I’m reading Soul Survivor, a fascinating book by Philip Yancey in which he describes thirteen people who deeply influenced his life, helping him maintain his faith as he worked through disheartening church experiences. It probes deeply and is refreshingly honest… but I digress. His book has caused me to consider those who made a difference in my life, such as…

• Sam, my high school Sunday school teacher whose passion for God was undeniable, introduced me to ministry in the mountains of Mahwah on Sunday afternoons.
• Harry & Eunice, who befriended us when we were newlyweds and taught us by word and example how to create a Christian home.
• Bob & Ruth, who revealed to us the intensely personal love of Jesus, and introduced us to the indwelling Holy Spirit and the matchless value of koinonia fellowship.
• Madelyn, with whom I mined the paths of adoption, racism, and shifting convictions from theory to action.
• Pastor John for preaching about grace—constantly—and breaking through my Reformed doctrine, slowly moving God from judge to Lover of my soul.
• The friends who sat with us under John’s teaching and beyond, learning to do life together, accepting one another, and loving unconditionally.
• My husband who has always encouraged me to be all I can be, to stretch further, to serve better, to use my gifts, to make a difference.
• David, our silent son whose prayer and worship don’t have words we understand, but who has taught us more about trust, praying, and praising than the most gifted preachers.
• Each of our children who, in many ways, have grown beyond us and yet respect and love us. They stretched us, produced fruit that pleases us, and strengthened our faith by proving God can work through flawed parents.

This is a smattering, a far from comprehensive list, but one that has prompted praise in my heart. I invite you to plumb your memory banks and allow those in your past to prompt praise to God for putting them in your life.