Fistfuls of rocks. This is what I acquired as I emptied my son, Owens’s pockets after his week at camp. I was doing laundry and thought I had better double check before I threw in his shorts. As I looked through his collection I smiled. He had been a rock collector ever since he could pick them up I think. In fact, all of my children collect rocks.
I used to be annoyed by this seemingly useless gathering of stones. The older they get though, the more I appreciate their pleasure in doing this. You see, I believe that they see God’s creation in each stone they discover. It is an art for them to find just the ‘right’ ones or the very unique ones. They do not only gather for their own pleasure but for those that they love.
My oldest Keshia is on a missions trip in Alaska and she has gathered stones there with much meaning. She also tried to send her brother one, but alas it broke through the envelope to hopefully be admired by someone else. I am sure it won’t be the same though as each stone given is picked with careful consideration of the receiver. Keshia knew her brother would be amazed at the rock picked from an Alaskan mountain.
Tessa, my middle child, just returned from a trip to BC. She was amazed by God’s creation in all that she saw there. She brought us all a gift from her trip. Guess what it was? Rocks! Her brother got one in the shape of a sword which made her think of him. I got one that was green, my favourite color. Wade, my husband, got a multicoloured rock. Her sister, an orange one with crystals that sparkles. Her boyfriend found her one in the perfect shape of a heart.
I can’t help but think of the significance that God attached to stones for remembering the things He had accomplished. He also used stones or rock as symbolism for himself or Jesus. Isaiah 28:17 says, ‘So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: See I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.’
Isaiah 26:2 says, ‘Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.’
I think one of the most amazing references in scripture to stones is one spoken by Jesus responding to the Pharisees. Jesus was entering Jerusalem and the people were praising Him loudly. In Luke 19:39&40, Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Jesus was telling them that even His creation speaks of Him, but they had chosen not to listen. The Pharisees and many others did not recognize the Messiah. I like to think that the stones speak to my children. My heart is for them to stand on The Rock, God eternal and that each stepping stone toward Him is significant. I know that they have recognized their redeemer, their rock and I hope that their hearts of stone continue to become hearts of flesh.
Each rock my children find has great significance for them. I also know that my children have great significance to the One who created them and the rocks. And so as they continue their journey I will be excited to gather with them, their stones of remembrance. Each one with a little piece of God embedded inside.
