Stones That Speak

By Danny Saavedra

“He said to the Israelites, ‘In the future when your descendants ask their parents, “What do these stones mean?” tell them, “Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.” For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.’”—Joshua 4:21–24 (NIV)

In my house, I’m the Christmas king; I go bananas! I’ve got two Christmas trees inside, a tree on the front porch that literally looks like Darth Vader, three giant Star Wars inflatables on the lawn, and a synchronized light show on the outside of the house. It’s a whole thing.

But one of the trees inside is different. It only has one kind of ornament: “Mickey Ear Icon” ornaments. My wife and I bought the first one back in 2008, just a few months before our wedding. And every year since, we’ve gone back and bought at least one (but sometimes two or three). We got one for our first anniversary, we have a USA-themed one, one for our son’s first Christmas, one for our daughter’s first Christmas, etc., and we’ve kept this up for 17 years now. Each ornament has a story tied to a moment in our marriage or family.

Sometimes the kids ask about them. “Why that one? What’s the story?” And I’ll tell them. One day, I imagine our grandkids will ask, too. Those ornaments have become a tradition that encapsulates our entire marriage and family. They’re not just decorations . . . they’re markers of memory.

That’s exactly what Joshua 4 is about. After God dried up the Jordan River so the Israelites could cross into the Promised Land, He told them to take twelve stones from the riverbed and set them up as a memorial so when future generations asked, “What do these stones mean?” the people would tell the story. They’d testify to God’s power. They’d remember His faithfulness. Those stones weren’t random rocks; they were testimonies carved into the landscape.

You see, God knows we’re forgetful people. Israel had already forgotten the manna, forgotten Sinai, forgotten how He split the Red Sea within a generation. And let’s be real . . . we forget, too. The minute something difficult happens, we forget how God has answered prayers time and time again. We forget the doors He opened. We forget the healing, the rescue, the grace He’s poured out. That’s why He gives us “stones of remembrance”; things like communion and baptism, like Christmas and Easter. It’s why so many people keep journals. It’s why we share personal testimonies and create traditions that tell the story of what God has done.

Think about it: Those twelve stones weren’t just for Israel. Verse 24 says they were also “so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful.” In other words, the testimony wasn’t just inward; it was outward. When strangers passed by and saw the stones, they’d hear the story of the God who parts seas and rivers . . . the memorial became missional.

Our lives need to be like that. We need to set up markers of God’s faithfulness that future generations can point to and ask about. Maybe it’s a family tradition, like our Christmas ornaments. Maybe it’s writing down testimonies in a journal to share later. Maybe it’s a piece of artwork, a verse on the wall, or a story you retell over and over. Whatever it is, it becomes a stone that speaks—not just to you, but to your kids, your neighbors, your coworkers, and even people you’ll never meet.

And here’s the beautiful thing: When we tell the stories of God’s faithfulness, it doesn’t just remind us; it strengthens faith in others. Your story might be the stone someone else needs to see that “the hand of the Lord is powerful.” It may be the spark that ignites faith in your children or the encouragement that keeps a friend going. When you pass down the story, you’re not just preserving history; you’re proclaiming hope.

So, let me ask you: What stones are you setting up? What markers are you leaving behind? What traditions, testimonies, or tangible reminders will your kids and grandkids see and ask about? Because those are the things that carry legacy forward. Those are the stories that keep faith alive across generations.

Just like Israel at the Jordan, God calls us to mark the moments of His power in our lives—not to hoard them, but to share them; not to forget, but to proclaim. And when we do, the world sees that His hand is powerful, and the next generation learns to stand in awe of Him.

Pause: What’s one “stone of remembrance” in your life? What’s a moment where God clearly showed His faithfulness that you need to mark and share?

Practice: Take time today to write down one story of God’s faithfulness in your life and share it with someone younger than you. Let that story become a “stone” that points them to His power and love.

Pray: Father, thank You for the stones of remembrance in my life. Thank You for the moments where You proved faithful, powerful, and near. Help me not to forget, but to mark them and share them boldly with those around me. May my life be full of reminders that point the next generation and the nations to Your greatness. Amen.