Stewarding Family Memories By Howard Rich

The Blessing of Making Memories

Following an event, like a day at the Zoo, a visit to a museum, or a birthday party, my friend asks me the same question: “What was your favorite memory from today?” Recently, I had the opportunity to hear why he asks it. His response reminded me of how the Israelites set up stones as markers of remembrance.

My friend told me he had been asking his question for a long time. He did it to help him be present and engage with his family and friends. It gave him a chance to pause long enough to make good memories. This practice was a way to temper his selfishness and his tendency to skip over the experience in favor of the next thing.

Markers of Remembrance

In Scripture, there are several examples of how the Israelites set up stones as markers of remembrance. They wanted to remember what God had done for them (Joshua 4, 1 Samuel 7, Joshua 24). In 1 Samuel 7, Samuel calls the stone an Ebenezer, which means “thus far the Lord has helped us.” My friend described what he was doing as setting up Ebenezer stones for himself and his family. This woudl cause them to remember that God was present in everything they did.

New Traditions of Remembrance

I was able to spend time with him and his family during Christmas. This year, I experienced another example of how he is establishing those stones of remembrance. There was a lone stocking under the tree that didn’t seem to belong to any of the family members. When I asked who it belonged to, my friend said that it was the “Jesus stocking.”

He went on to explain that each Christmas season. He and his family would write down how they wanted to serve Jesus in the next year. They would put that piece of paper in the stocking as their commitment. This year, he and his family took notes from past years and read them. They remembered what God had done in their lives over those years. This time had a powerful impact on the entire family. They saw the words on those pages come to life in their memories.

The Blessing of Remembering

Over this Christmas, I was blessed to see how this family was stewarding their family memories. May God bless you and your family in similar ways as we move into the following year.

Howard Rich is the CFO of Amazi Water and the President of the Center for Steward Leaders Studies. Howard is a life-long advocate of generous living and desires to see Christian’s lead from a heart of stewardship and generosity.

If you are not a member of ChristianLeadership Alliance – Make it a New Year Commitment!

Join the Big Event of the New Year – The Outcomes Conference 2026

Partner with us to provide the digital resources and learning experiences that strengthen nonprofit leaders worldwide!

Thank you for supporting the ministry of Christian Leadership Alliance!