The Youth & Family Institute

The Milestones Blessing Bowl

Designed to help people pass on faith milestone by milestone from generation to generation, this resource aids people to tell stories of Meaningful, Memorable, Moments Woven into a Life Lived in Faith.

When your children ask their parents in times to come, “What do these stones mean?” Then you shall let your children know…

(Joshua 4:21-22)

The Milestones in the Milestones Blessing Bowl have a symbol designed to help a person think of a specific moment in life, tell the story, and raise the question of how God might have been present. Often the extraordinary grace of God is hidden in the ordinary happenings of each day. It is in the stories of families and friends that people receive their meaning, identity, and purpose.

What do these stones mean to you, uncle, aunt, godparent, neighbor, friend, grandpa, grandma, son, daughter, brother, sister, mom, dad?

Tell the stories Bless the days Share the prayers

1. Beginnings & Completions

Tell a story about a sunrise or sunset happening in your life. The experience of first days and new beginnings may bring a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Completions also may bring a mixture of emotions. Sometimes completions lead to new beginnings. In blessing new beginnings or completions we are reminded that a God who is familiar with us meets us in unfamiliar places;

Examples of Beginnings Examples of Completions

Engagement Nursery School Graduation Moving Away

Driver’s License New Job Retirement Finish Project

Ride School Bus New Home Child leaves home

Pregnancy New Birth Death Reading a Book

Adoption College Write a Book Write a Song

The creation story in Genesis states that every day had a sunrise and a sunset, “And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.” In the Gospel of John 1:1 we are told that “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” The Gospels tell us that at the end of life the words of the Lord will remain, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33)

2. Remembering

We learn from the past so that we can move forward in life. These days and stories connect to identity, purpose, and meaning in life. The Holy Spirit always moves us to a new place in our faith formation. We remember, tell the stories, and are re-membered, i.e., reconnected to relationships.

Examples of Remembering

Birthdays National Days Sobriety or other wellness anniversary

Death Loss of Love Mother’s Day Father’s Day

Baptism First Love Anniversary Bible Stories

Songs Prayers Names Holy Communion

Remembering is a very important action of the people of God in the Bible and in our live today. The Passover meal was a remembering event—re-telling the story. The biblical emphasis on remembering is not simple recalling an event. In remembering the event and telling the story we realize that the same God is with us now, and, acting in our lives. We live in the promises of a gracious God. In Exodus 20 and in Deuteronomy 5 we are command to keep a Sabbath day to remember what God has done and is doing in our lives. Jesus uses the same meaning of remember in Luke 22:10 “Do this in remembrance of me.” Remember, our God is Emmanuel, God with us.

3. Gratitude

We are grateful for a special moment with creation or with a person. We respond in gratitude for special days, for the gifts of friends, family, vocation, and occupation, for health, laughter, teachers, good government, house, home, family. Gratitude is how faithful people respond to the gifts of God throughout our lives. The best way to say, “Thank you,” to God is to use the gifts so that others can see they are recipients of a gracious God. Gratitude is a way of life.

Examples of Gratitude

National Thanksgiving Memorial Day Labor Day

Friendships Good Job Happy Family

Health & Healing Miracles Appreciation

Prayers Physical Gifts Family Reunions

We applaud, whistle, shout “Amen” or “Encore,” we stomp our feet, we sing, we pray aloud, we pray in silence, we smile, we hug, we give all our gifts of time, talents, and finances to the glory of God. “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm 136: 1) In Colossians 3:16 we are reminded that we are to thank God for everything in life and in a variety of ways. “…and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

4. Quests

Life is filled with adventures and wonders. Not all are joyful and completed. Some are filled with fear and anxiety, but all are powerful times of learning about ourselves and our purposes in life. The quests are the times of wonder, stepping into the unknown, and taking the risk of exploring a new path in life. In Matthew 16:24 we are reminded that we are called to step away from our comfort zones, pick up our cross, and follow Jesus.

Examples of Quests

Learning to Dance Giving a recital Tests

Job Interview Marathon Changing Jobs

Visiting Foreign Countries Engaging in Mission Servanthood

Playing a Musical Instrument Pursue a degree Tryouts

Climbing a Mountain Shooting Rapids Hiking in Desert

Sailing Hunting Camping

High Ropes Course Snowboard/ski Shop

The cross of Jesus Christ becomes much like a compass, gives us direction, and reminds us that God is with us no matter which direction life takes us. The cross encourages us in our quests. The Gospel writers in Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; and Luke 18:27 remind us “for God all things are possible.” In 1 John 4:18 we are reminded that the cross of Christ drives out all fear in our quests. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love cast out fear…”

5. Loss

The experience of losing someone or something close to us is often very painful. Growing through grief is something we do not do alone. In our deepest pain, God graciously wipes our tears and holds us with the arms of the cross as long as we need to be held.

Examples of Loss

Death of Friend Death of Family Death of National Hero

Loss of Pet Loss of Job Physical Loss

Miscarriage Divorce Loss of Health

Natural Disasters—Loss of house or place of work

Loss of Memory Loss of Friendship Loss of Love

Loss of Family Farm Loss of Investment Loss of Confidence

In Revelation 21:4 John reminds us that God promises a day to come when there will be no more loss, mourning, crying, pain, or death. God will wipe away every tear. Because of sin within us and within our world in the midst of life we are in death. In Romans 8: 37-39 St. Paul trumpets the power of God in our loss. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

6. Sacred

What makes anything holy or sacred if the presence of God. Some symbols, rituals and traditions are sacred because they are set apart for God. Our ordinary occupations can be sacred if we let God be present in our work and relationships. People go on pilgrimages to find sacred space with God. Others find burning bushes in the ordinary of every day.

Examples of Sacred

A Mountain, Lake, or Stream Pilgrimage Music

Relationships/Marriage Family Time Occupation

Cemetery Cathedral Cross

Keeping God’s Name Holy Candles Bible

Holy Catholic Church A Person Life

Confirmation Baptism Ordination

Creation Offering Eucharist

Both in the 10 commandments (Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5) and in the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11) we are told to keep God’s name holy. We do that best when we remember that God so loved the entire world and sacrificed his only son. We are called by God to image the presence of God to all of creation. We do that when we are concerned and active in peace, justice, and mercy for all people. We keep God’s name holy when we turn tired old cathedrals into cafeterias for the poor and homeless. “Where two or three are gathering in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

7. Care

This milestone represents both giving and receiving care with grace and gratitude. How we welcome the stranger is a very important ministry within the community. In the early Church hospitality was one of the activities of the Christians that set them apart from the culture. They cared for the widows and the children. In Acts 2 we are told that they shared all their belongings so that there would be enough for everyone. “Who is my neighbor?” is not just a question of a young lawyer in Luke 10: 29, but also direction for faithful living.

Examples of Care

Receiving Gifts of Love from Others Helping the Helpless

Mission Trips Supporting Missions Prayer

Bread for the World Campaigning for Peace, Justice, & Mercy

Teaching Others to Farm Help Build Healthy Communities

Medical Assistance Good Housing for All Visiting

Physical Expressions Active Listening Caring for Creation

The Good Samaritan in Luke 10 not only provided for immediate care but for continued care for the victim. In Micah 6:8 we are told that God requires us to “do justice, and to live kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” God want quality of life and longevity of life for people. Christians are to make a difference in the lives of others in the communities in which they live and throughout the world. In Ephesians 6 we are told that honoring one’s father, mother, teacher, pastor, friend and raising children with clear boundaries so that they see God is about caring and wellness. “…this is the first commandment with a promise: so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

8. Mountain Highs

These are the high points in a day or a period of time that only can be describe as “Wow!” These are events or happenings that give us a lift and a drive to keep on living well. Often these events give us affirmation, direction, and clear purpose.

Examples of Mountain Highs

Reaching a Goal Looking Out Over the Ocean Birth of a Child

Athletic Awards Service Recognition Job Promotion

Fishing with Dad Shooting First Deer Scout Awards

Civic Recognition Climbing a Mountain Learning to Read

First Paycheck Falling in Love Book Published

Academic Award Banquet of Honor Achievement

Observing Creation Seeing a Comet or Star Worship

From the early stories in the Old Testament people thought there was a connection between mountains and God. One would be closest to God upon the highest mountain. Note all the events that happen in the Bible on mountains or references to mountains: Mt. Sinai, Mt. Horeb, Mt. Moriah, Mt. Zion, Mt. of Olives, Sermon on the Mount, Mt. Gerizim, Mount of Transfiguration, the Ascension. These are all places of close encounters with God, places of vision. After looking at the heavens, the moon, and all the stars, the Psalmist in Psalm 8 states, “what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” Mountain Highs are Wow! Moments.

9. Valley Lows

Sometimes it is like having the rug pulled out from under you or having the wind knocked out of you. You just can’t breathe. Depleted, disappointed, distressed, and distraught describe the low experiences and empty feelings of the Valley Lows. It is not what we talk about that cause problems in a relationship, it is more often what we fail to talk about. It is important to tell the stories of our lows as well as our highs because we discover God in our Valley Lows as well as our Mountain Highs.

Examples of Valley Lows

Being Fired from Job Having to File for Bankruptcy

Broken Trust Betrayed by Friends Grief

Diagnosis of Disease Missed or Delayed Goals Failure

Recognize one’s sin End of Relationship Bad News

Shipped to War Zone Acts of Inhumanity Evil

Destroying Creation Broken Relationships Loss of Self-Worth

The Psalms are filled with Mountain Highs and Valley Lows, but with a picture of hope because we have a God who not only comes down, but gets down in our mess and loves and forgives. When everything around us smells like death and decay, when we are in the pits of despair, our God is with us. Isaiah brings a word of hope when we are in Valley Lows. “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire youth shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:1-3)

Matthew paints a new picture of hope. “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, God is with us.” (Matthew 1:23)

10. Other Milestones

God wants to be centered in every milestone of our lives. Each of us has many different milestones that can connect us with God. Whether it is getting our braces off, receiving our first Bible, or fighting cancer we should help one another reframe life to see God. A God who is familiar often meets us in unfamiliar places and surprises us with grace.

In Act 16 Paul used a stone to an unknown God as an opportunity to tell the good news of Jesus and the resurrection. The unknown stone is where we might meet God in the places and ways we have not imagined or anticipated. In Luke 24: 13-35 two men discover the presence of Jesus, the Christ, while walking on the road to Emmaus. “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” (vs. 32) They continued to tell their milestone story to others.

Tell your milestone stories.

The Youth & Family Institute

1401 E. 100th ST

Bloomington, MN 55425