Ebenezer Day

Our friend's daughter suffered a bad head injury six months ago. She lay for 6 weeks in a coma, but has now been transferred to a specialist head injury rehabilitation place. Today friends and family gathered in various places to give thanks to God for who He is and for His help along the way. The Old Testament is full of examples of stones being erected to honour and remember what God has done in various places. Today with great courage, her family gathered at the site of the accident, prayers were said, a cairn of stones built and a host of helium balloons released in thanks to God. It says in 1 Samuel 12 After this happened Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named the stone Ebenezer, saying, "The Lord has helped us to this point."
This has been a challenge to her parents recently, and I believe that God has been their refuge, their strength and their all in all these past few months, and even today, with her mum and dad standing at the site of the accident.
I couldn't be there as I had other commitments at my own church. However I wanted to do something to 'stand with them'. Helium balloons were not possible as I had no access to helium today. We went in search of a rose to plant in the garden. I wanted two things - one with a 'name' that could be appropriately used to honour God and - I wanted it to be white.
We found this rose called 'Remember'. Some things in life we say we would rather forget. Indeed there are things in my own life over the past few years where I could quite easily say that. However - in forgetting, I fear we may lose sight of what God has done in that time and there is so much to be thankful for.
And secondly - their daughter is called Grace. She is called Grace purely and simply because the gift of God's grace in her parent's life is the reason for everything. Grace is a beautiful gift - freely given by God. It is because of Grace that we are washed whiter than the snow.
So thank you God today for more than I can put into words. You are amazing.