Friday, August 6, 2010

Here I raise my Ebenezer

We sang "Come Thou Fount" in worship a few weeks ago. In honor of this day, I wore a necklace that was handmade by my friend and hero Shannon Mills.


A few years ago, Shannon sent me this little beauty. She sent it during a season of struggle and frustration in my life. I love it. I love it because she made it. I love it because she found it and thought of me. I love it because she made a similar one for herself.



A written note in the package said:
Nik, I made an Ebenezer stone for us. Read the story of Samuel and and his Ebenezer stone. When you wear it, be reminded that God is our help - remember his faithfulness.

Today I wore it again and have received lots of comments about its uniqueness, its earthiness, its weight... And I have loved sharing the story of Shannon and the story of Samuel. Each time, I am reminded that God is my Help - I remember his faithfulness.

Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I'm come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood. —Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing


"Samuel took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer—"the stone of help"—for he said, "Up to this point the Lord has helped us!" —1 Samuel 7:12, NLT

4 comments:

Amy said...

Hi Nikki! I found you through Chelsea's blog and I am really enjoying reading along! This is a great post...I could use an Ebeneezer stone myself, right now! :)

Hope you and Creighton et al. are well! xoxo

Shannon Mills said...

Awwwwww, friend!

You have no idea how badly I needed that reminder today. (wiping tears). Very good timing.

I now have a small gathering of other Ebenezers that I've picked up at the beach during the more intense times. Time to look at them and remember:
He really is good.
He really does love me.
Up to this point, He really has helped me.

My own necklace made it's way back to earth. Acacia sucked the leather crispy and Jackson gnawed the rock as a teether until eventually he figured out how to swing it and smash it into bits on the concrete floor. Ah, well.

Miss you. Lots.

steve and randel hambrick said...

love it. and love the song. and the scripture. beautiful.. shannon, can you make me one?? :)

Dana said...

I have a stone on my bathroom counter to remind me daily that "so far, the Lord has helped me".

I love you.