Who’s a Mezuzah?

Have you ever heard of Mezuzah? Of course, it’s not really a who…more like a what. I’ll bet there’s a good chance some of you have seen one. If you watched Ben Hur this past Easter you probably saw the scene where Charleston Heston passes a kiss from his lips to his fingers and then touches the Mezuzah at his doorpost. If none of this rings a bell the following definition should help: 

Mezuzah- a piece of parchment inscribed with biblical passages and fixed to the doorpost of the rooms of a Jewish house (freedictionary.com)

The featured photo in today’s post shows the Mezuzah by our front door. Several years ago Doc and I were graced with a trip to Israel. One beautiful afternoon we strolled through an artist’s market in the streets of Tel Aviv. A vendor was selling Mezuzah’s. I remember the sunlight catching and spilling hues of blue from one of the pieces. I glanced at Doc. He held my gaze and smiled. We were both thinking the same thing. It needed to come home with us!

The “parchment” in our Mezuzah contains two verses. The first verse belongs to Doc’s parents. In 1957 his folks built the house we are currently living in. It was erected with hard work, mutual respect, love and faith. A plaque, with these words, hung in their home:

“As for me and my household we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 NIV

Serve Him they did! Doc’s parents demonstrated what service in action looks like by the way they loved their family, their friends and their community. Few loved better than they. When it was time to grace our doorpost with the Mezuzah we wanted a verse to represent the early history of the home. But what about the next generation? Our generation? So, we added an additional verse. One that is near and dear to our hearts.

“…for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Galatians 2:21 NIV

Our Mezuzah is a memorial. It reminds us of who we are and whose we are. It’s important to note that this knowledge does not require  affirmation by having a fish logo on our car, a key chain cross or even parchment on the doorpost.

But there is merit to having reminders.

After all, God often encouraged the Israelites to set up a pillar of stones as a monument. Sometimes it was to help others remember who He was and what He had done but most of the time it was to help the Israelites remember who He was and what He had done for them!

Memorials can take many shapes and forms. Is there an item in your home that serves as a reminder of your family’s faith? If not, why not try something? How about a shadow box with mementos of God’s provision? Photos that reflect His faithfulness? A meaningful verse engraved on a stone? The possibilities are endless!

If you haven’t established a memorial in your home prayerfully consider doing so. If not for you, how about for the children or even grandchildren?

{Don’t forget to check out some of the  sweet blog authors below for Angie Ryg’s Inspire Me Monday!}

Your DoAhead Friend,