As we headed down to breakfast, we grabbed the alarm clock from the fridge—yes, the fridge—and carried it to the front desk.
I know, you’re probably making the same face the desk clerk did! Let me explain.
Our flight landed around 11:00 p.m., and while waiting at baggage claim, I looked up the info for the car we’d rented. That’s when we realized the rental car place wasn’t actually in the airport, meaning we’d need to take a quick shuttle. No big deal.
Except…it wasn’t open at 11:30 p.m. So, I downloaded the Lyft app, and we scheduled our first ride.
By the time we got to the hotel, it was around 12:30 a.m. We were wiped out and still a little rattled by the whole rental car situation, but I decided to let it go for the night and just sleep. That would be tomorrow’s problem.
3:15 a.m. – beep beep beep BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
The hotel alarm clock went off. Brandon tapped it.
3:24 a.m. – beep beep beep BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
Brandon tapped it again and unplugged it.
3:33 a.m. – beep beep beep BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!This time, he took it to the bathroom, determined to figure out how to shut it off.
Night two. Repeat all over again.
3:15 a.m. – beep beep beep BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
Brandon tapped it.
3:24 a.m. – beep beep beep BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
Fearing it would wake our neighbors, I suggested putting it in the fridge.
We never heard it again.
So, the next morning, before heading down for breakfast, we grabbed the alarm clock from the fridge and handed it to the front desk, asking them to hold onto it until we checked out.
After two more Lyft rides to get the rental car, we discovered that the place wouldn’t be open to shuttle us back to the airport when we returned. So, we decided to skip the rental altogether and just do Lyft for the rest of the trip.
Unexpected Ebenezers
At first, all these changes and complications were a challenge to keep calm through. But I reached out to friends to pray, and I made a decision: I wasn’t going to let the enemy steal my peace. Instead, I took it as an assignment to pray for each Lyft driver we met, determined to turn these disruptions into opportunities for connection.
One driver we prayed for—a fellow Christian—was moved to tears by our conversation and prayer. I realized that without all these disruptions, we wouldn’t have had the chance to pray for so many people. What first seemed like obstacles turned into surprising gifts.
During a walk near our hotel, I found a small, heart-shaped rock, and I decided to mark it as my Ebenezer—a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the joy He brought through the unexpected.
Ebenezers - Stone of Help
In the Old Testament, the prophet Samuel set up a stone and called it “Ebenezer,” which means “stone of help.” He declared, “Thus far the Lord has helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12).
Samuel’s Ebenezer was a visible reminder to the people of Israel of God’s past faithfulness and a call to trust Him for the future. We may not set up literal stones, but we can mark the moments of God’s faithfulness in our lives, helping us look back with gratitude and forward with hope.
Let’s think of gratitude as our own “Ebenezer.”
Gratitude invites us to recognize God’s hand in our lives, even in situations that, at first, seem like setbacks. Sometimes, like my trip, our challenges are disguised blessings, leading us to experiences or people we wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. Reflecting on these moments helps us see that God has been with us through it all, turning inconveniences into opportunities and frustrations into joy.
CULTIVATIONS
For the heart
Pause and reflect on your own “Ebenezer moments.” Where have you seen God’s hand in your life recently?
It could be a big answer to prayer, a small act of kindness, or an unexpected blessing that arrived just when you needed it. Remembering these moments renews our hope, especially as we face new challenges.
For the Spirit
Lord, thank You for being with me in every season, through every inconvenience and every joy. Open my eyes to see where You are at work in my life, even when things don’t go according to my plans.
Help me to be aware of Your presence in the unexpected, and to find reasons to be grateful, trusting that You are always faithful. Amen.
For the Journey
Look back on a recent season and write about one or two “Ebenezer moments”—places where you can see God’s faithfulness, even if the blessing came in disguise. Consider how you might mark this moment, as a reminder of God’s goodness and help.
Ready to Build Your Own Ebenezers?
If today’s devotional resonated with you, explore more ways to deepen your gratitude and create meaningful “Ebenezer” moments in your life.
- Watch the Video – Find encouragement and practical steps to mark God’s faithfulness.
- Listen to the Podcast – Hear stories and reflections on how gratitude can transform your journey.
- Download Scripture Cultivations – Dive into Scripture with tools to help cultivate your own moments of remembrance.
