If you grew up "across the puddle" (the Atlantic Ocean), you'll remember this childhood rhyme:

Remember, remember, the fifth of November:
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I know of no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot.

November 5th is the anniversary of Guy Fawkes' attempt in 1605 to blow up the British Houses of Parliament. A Catholic politician, he didn't want James, a Protestant Scottish king, on the English throne. The plot failed, but Guy Fawkes is still remembered every year with fireworks and a bonfire with a stuffed "guy" burned upon it.

The Bible tells us to remember events when God intervened and came to His people's rescue. The Israelites were to remember the day when God brought them out of Egypt and the day when they aroused God's anger by molding a golden calf. Joshua erected rocks as a monument to remind future generations where the Israelites passed through the Jordan River.

Joel 1:3 – Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (NIV)

My family has several stories that we enjoy telling, and each time, we laugh with delight that God came through for us. One of my favourites is the tale of my son as a teenager at the lake, falling off a friend's brand-new Sea-Doo (a brand of personal water craft), only to discover that the deadman's switch on it was faulty. The Sea-Doo kept going! My son swam after it as hard as he could, but the Sea-Doo was getting further away. In desperation, he shouted "God! Send it back!"

He then watched with eyes popping out of his head as the Sea-Doo made a graceful turn and headed back towards him!

Can you imagine an angel steering that Sea-Doo with hair blown back and a big grin, exhilarating in the sun and spray? Told around the campfire each summer, it's a story that captures the imagination of all ages. Every time we hear it, we praise God and remember His faithfulness.

You have stories of your own. We may roll our eyes when we hear oft-told tales repeated yet again by our elders, but it's necessary to pass them down through the generations. They are proof that God is real. People need to hear that. God hears our cry. He loves us and is faithful. He's a God that we can trust. God is good.

The best stories are shared again and again. The very best ones are those in which we see the hand of God at work. If you have a story, don't keep it to yourself — tell it! Get excited about it. It's your testimony. It's your witness, and others need to hear it.

Prayer: Father God, You bless us with miracles every day, big and small. May we not hold back, but pass them on. Stories get repeated, and someone, somewhere, needs to hear ours. Help our story to reach the ears of a person in need. Amen.

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About the author:

JJ Ollerenshaw <sandjollie86@gmail.com>
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
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