Sometimes I Write

My friend Adam posted about his Trek experience last week and how God gave him the gift of a new heart. Read his post. It’s great!

As you know, I had a collection of rocks shaped like hearts started by Benny, then Max added to it. This past week I added 9 more rocks from my hike with Tawnya. When I saw the first one, I almost left it there because it wouldn’t mean the same thing as the rest of my collection if I found it for myself. Then I picked it up and thought I’d give it to Benny, but as I put it in my pocket, a thought crossed my mind that maybe it was a gift from God – it was the first heart shaped rock I had ever found. A special reminder that sometimes our hearts are found on high places, out in the wild, and surrounded by God’s creation. I thanked God for the gift, and in the next hour I found 7 more! (Tawnya found 1 and gave it to me too).

We had such a good time talking and laughing on that hike. Most of the laughing happened during all the breaks we had to take to catch our breath! We were determined to reach the snow even though I told her it looked deceptively close. I found the first rock on the way up the trail. I told Tawnya about my collection as I was thinking about whether or not to keep it. After that she started watching for them too. We both picked up several that SORT OF looked like hearts. I laughed and said I’m a purist and it needed to really have the shape or I wouldn’t keep it. But I got to thinking about the ones already in my livingroom and decided I shouldn’t be quite so picky. You see, some of the rocks I’d received as gifts were not perfectly heart shaped. Some had a few jagged edges, some looked like they had been carved, some were smooth and roundish, some were small, some were big, and some had moss growing on them, some were dark, some were light, and some were heavy. Do you know any hearts like that? We even found a very large one that was about 10 inches long and 4-5 inches wide. We don’t know how thick it was because it was partially buried in the ground. It was way too big to dig up or carry around. We joked that we’d come back for it someday.

All of the differences in the rocks of my collection and the ones collected this week, make them special and unique – something to treasure. One of my favorites is the one Max found for me and autographed. The look in his eyes when he excitedly pulled it from his pocket and placed it in my hand was one of such love, and hope. He wanted so badly for me to love it and hear me squeal with delight over his gift. I am amazed when the Lord uses my children to show me His truth and love. When I presented my heart to God, I believe He too squealed with delight at me finally trusting Him. I could almost feel Him lean down to hug me and thank me for the gift of my heart as He promised to hold it, strengthen it, and give it back to me.

They turned out a bit dark, but here they are, every one a reminder of my own heart and the hearts of others: