Giving Thanks - Our Ebenezer Stone
Bryan and Lisa Talbot

Lisa and I were alone for Thanksgiving in 2020. It was a year of many sorrows, especially the recent death of Lisa’s dad. After dinner, with heavy hearts, we used a hand-truck to drag a 400-pound triangular stone to a special spot in our yard, said a prayer, and gave thanks to God.  We called it our Ebenezer stone, inspired by a scripture about the Israelites giving thanks to God after a battle and highlighted in the song “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”.

 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 7:7-12

Here I raise my Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’m come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.  
– Come thou Fount of Every Blessing

Twenty years before that Lisa and I were in the middle of a different season of trauma in our lives. In addition, we were members of another religion which hampered a healthy recovery.  With all the courage we could muster, we ventured to attend a Methodist church, but we both felt awkward. One Sunday, Lisa looked at the program and said “They are offering a class named Christian Believer: Knowing God with Heart and Mind. This is what I have been praying for!”  We both signed up and spent 30 weeks reading hundreds of Bible verses and learning to ask: “What does this say about God?” Through that class God transformed our lives. The class helped us know God better, to look for God in every situation, and to give thanks regardless of our circumstances. Now in 2025 we are overjoyed that about 25 people in Arcola Church are taking the Christian Believer class with us. We are thankful to deepen our relationship with God along with a class of vibrant people.  

Prayer: God, You are our Cornerstone, our Rock, and our Firm Foundation. You have helped us thus far and have lifted the heavy loads that we carry. We praise You for your goodness and ask You to continue to draw us to You. Please bless us with Your Presence as we study the Bible.