Lately, I’ve been reminded of the word Ebenezer. It’s a word that’s been sitting with me for some time – one I’ve wanted to write about, but never quite did. So this morning, I finally paused and gave it the space it deserved. As I reflected, I began thinking about how God has been with me up until this point – faithfully present in every season. And right here, in this moment, I wanted to set up an altar of remembrance. A place to acknowledge His faithfulness and thank Him for being my help along the way.

In Scripture, an Ebenezer was never about the stone itself – it was about what God had done and the faithfulness it represented.

In 1 Samuel 7:12, Samuel sets up a stone after God delivers His people and names it Ebenezer, declaring, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” The word Ebenezer means “stone of help.” It was a marker – a moment intentionally set apart to remember what God had done.

And as I sit here today, I realize this season of my life is my Ebenezer.

Not because the journey has been easy.

Not because everything has been healed or resolved.

But because God has been faithful – every step of the way.

There were seasons marked by deep pain. Seasons of survival. Seasons where faith meant clinging, not celebrating. I always knew it was God who was holding me together, even when the path forward felt uncertain. He was my help when I felt weak. My refuge when I felt overwhelmed. My steady presence when everything else felt unstable.

An Ebenezer isn’t a finish line – it’s a pause.

It’s the decision to stop and say, “I remember.”

I remember what God carried me through.

I remember who sustained me when I didn’t have the strength.

I remember that I am still standing because He helped me.

Until this point, the Lord has helped me through brokenness and healing, through surrender and rebuilding, through waiting and trusting. He helped me when answers didn’t come quickly. He helped me when the only thing I could do was keep showing up. And He is still helping me now.

This is my stone of remembrance.

And maybe, as you read this, you realize you have one too.

Maybe you’re standing in a place you once prayed for.

Maybe you’ve come through something that could have taken you out.

Maybe you’re still in process – but you’re farther than you’ve ever been.

If so, don’t rush past it.

Pause.

Remember.

Name the moment.

Set up your own Ebenezer and declare it boldly: “Until this point, the Lord has helped me.”

Not because the journey is over – but because His faithfulness deserves to be remembered.

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’” ~ 1 Samuel 7:12 (NIV)

Lord, today I pause and remember.

I acknowledge that I did not get here on my own. Every step, every breath, every moment of strength was sustained by You. When I was weak, You were my help. When I needed direction, You were my guide. When I felt overwhelmed, You remained faithful.

I set up this moment as my Ebenezer- a stone of remembrance. A holy marker that declares, “Thus far, the Lord has helped me.” Help me never forget what You have carried me through, and let remembrance strengthen my faith for what lies ahead.

Thank You for being my help then, my help now, and my help in all that is still to come. I trust You with what’s next, because You have been faithful up to this point.

Amen.