Reflecting on Our Journey: Creating Altars of Memory

The Power of Reflection

Yesterday, I found myself scrolling through the photos on my phone. Once again, I had filled up my iCloud storage.

Audience of One

As I scrolled, deleted, and saved images into a "new album," I felt overwhelmed by the journey these photos represented. I had to exclaim "wow!" aloud. It’s so easy to lose sight of where we've been, feeling trapped in the present moment. Yet, there is something sacred about revisiting the past. Reflecting on our experiences carries its own significance. It doesn’t trap us in the past; instead, it anchors us in truth. In a world obsessed with the next goal, project, or accolade, we often forget what we have already walked through and survived.

A Journey of Accomplishments

In the last 20 years, I have accomplished remarkable things. I have traveled the globe, written books—two published in print and four digital editions. I performed at the Sydney Opera House and launched my own music. I hosted a talk show that reached not just a national audience but also continental and international viewers. I began a podcast, started a family, and repeatedly reinvented myself. Most recently, I initiated Sanctuary.

And yet, I still have days when I feel like I haven’t done enough. Enough?

Why is that? Why do we, especially as women—visionaries, doers, and nurturers—feel the constant need to prove our worth through productivity?

The Importance of Altars

Perhaps that is why God instructed the Israelites to construct altars. These were tangible reminders of where they had experienced His presence. When the journey became difficult or memories faded, they had something to indicate and say: Here. Right here. This is where He appeared. This is where He provided a path. This is how far He led us. This is where He was sufficient for me. This is where He reassured me of His steadfast love.

“…in the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:6-7 (NIV)

Creating My Own Altar

Today, I take a moment to reflect. I create my own altar—not with stones or pillars, but through words, memories, and gratitude. Each book, show, episode, recipe, every tear shed in prayer, every room I've designed, and every meal shared around a table stands as evidence that I have not only survived—I have created, healed, led, and truly lived.

And that deserves to be honored.

Embracing Our Stories

If you find yourself in a season where you feel like you haven’t done enough, I invite you to stop and look back. Build your own altar. Remember who you were. Remember who you are now. Most importantly, remember who brought you through.

Because memory, my friend, is sacred.

And you.

You are a living testimony.

The Journey Ahead

As I reflect on my journey, I recognize that each step has been a part of a larger tapestry. The threads of my past weave together to create a beautiful narrative. This narrative is not just mine; it belongs to all of us who strive to create nurturing homes and lives.

In this ever-evolving journey, I encourage you to embrace your experiences. Let them shape you, guide you, and inspire you. Each moment, each memory, is a stepping stone towards a future filled with promise and possibility.

Let us celebrate our journeys together, honoring the paths we have walked and the altars we have built along the way.