Stones

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Year 5 - Day 165: Today, I am grateful for stones. 

I remember, as a child, being sure I would find fossils in the dirt or creekbed. Arrowheads were more likely in Iroquois County Illinois, but it was always fun to take a closer look at newly uncovered stones. 

I think stepping stones add a bit of whimsy to just about any garden or landscape, and who doesn't smile at a little whimsy?

Stones are used as mulch in landscaping. They are hearty, look clean and weather the years better than wood. In childhood, finding quartz in landscaping rock or any other stone that sparkled was akin to finding a gold nugget. 

I like stones. 

David used a stone to slay Goliath when the rest of the Hebrew army found him too scary. A kid can do big things with a mighty God and a rock. 

One of my favorite scriptures is when Joshua... after 40 years in the desert and the death of Moses... is finally about to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. See Joshua 3 & 4 for the whole story, but once again... God parts waters so they can cross on dry land. This time, it is the Jordan river with the Levite priests carrying the ark of the covenant. 

God tells Joshua to instruct the men to pick up 12 stones as they cross, one to represent each tribe of Israel. They later use those very stones to create a memorial to what God has done for the Hebrew people again and again. 

 The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” -Joshua 4:21-24

God knows that our human hearts are need touchstones for remembrance. But, there is more. We are to pass the memory on from generation to generation. But it doesn't end there. 

We are to be "living stones" building the body of Christ as we fulfill the great commission to go, share the good news and make disciples. Our lives are the offering as we seek His will and direction first in our daily lives.  

"And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God." -1 Peter 2:5

Jesus is referred to as the cornerstone in the Old Testament and the New Testament, too.

The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. -Psalm 118:22

Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’ -Matthew 21:42

When a child or grandchild brings home a stone and wants to keep it, tell them "yes" and tell them of God's faithfulness through the ages and each one who makes him Lord. 

Our God is an awesome God. 

Today, I am grateful for stones.