At around the age of two or three, each child started giving me rocks and
other small things that they would find, usually walking in our own yard. At
first, I would “ooh” and “ahh” and set the item down on a shelf. After a few
days, I would toss it back into the yard or trash when the kids weren't looking.
Then one day, I heard or read that toddlers and small children will give
adults small things to build trust. The message even mentioned rocks. If
children find that they can trust you with their gifts, then they will increase
what they give and/or trust you with as they get older. Obviously, I was
convicted and I began to see those gifts as the treasures that they were. So, I
started saving them.
While, I haven’t been able to save them all, it’s not unusual to find a
bowl in any room of my house with a rock, dead flower, or stick, etc. The bowl
in this picture lives in my bathroom. You might not be able to tell from the
picture or even in person but the contents of this bowl, is not just “ordinary rocks”.
There are
shells and ore from the vacations on the beach. A plastic “DIAMOND” that Sophie couldn't believe that she had found. A real opal (as it would be found in
nature). It was a gift from a cousin but it is also Ethan’s birthstone. A piece
of coal from my second father’s home; which also happens to be the raw form of
Jackson’s birthstone. (I am seeking a blue sapphire rock for Sophie’s
birthstone, if you have an extra to spare.)
Either way, it holds a variety of small things that either mean something
to me or meant something to someone else. They are so much more than dirty old
rocks in a bowl. Each one of them has a story. This bowl has truly become something
that I treasure; if not for what they are physically, then for how they touch
me emotionally or spiritually.
It reminds me of the verse Luke 16:10-12. 10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will
be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t
be honest with greater responsibilities. 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly
wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s
things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
As I reflect on the verse and those rocks, I wonder what other small
things in my life might appear to be nothing on the surface, but upon closer
look, would I find that they had more significance? I’ve included some
questions below. May they provoke your own thoughts to search your
heart and habits. If one of them touches you, pray about it and dig deeper.
Application Questions
What distractions or rocks might I remove from my life, only to discover
that they either held a bigger significance or were blocking something even greater
from entering my life?
Am I aware of all
of the things and relationships that have been entrusted to me? What might I take
for granted or not even notice?
What “mountains do I make” out of small things that should be forgotten?
Which small things should I replace them with so that they can be remembered?
Am I willing to trust God with my small things or even give him something
that I treasure?
Do I care about matters that are significant to others, even if they do not seem important to me?
Prayer
Father God, I pray that you touch each of our hearts with items that can be more or less beneficial to our lives. Give us the courage to consider how we might benefit from change, as well as the strength to make decisions based off of those convictions. Your way is not just the "better" way, it's the only way that leads to freedom. Thank you for the gift of your spirit and your love.
Prayer
Father God, I pray that you touch each of our hearts with items that can be more or less beneficial to our lives. Give us the courage to consider how we might benefit from change, as well as the strength to make decisions based off of those convictions. Your way is not just the "better" way, it's the only way that leads to freedom. Thank you for the gift of your spirit and your love.
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