five little stones

Anna and Jolene at an Atlanta Braves Game.



Rachel showing off her Build-A-Bear butterfly, Violet.



Boys!

Our blue-eyed Elly.

"Then [David] took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine." ~1 Samuel 17:40

Five smooth stones David chose, from the stream.  Once those stones likely had edges and sharp points.  They were dirty and trampled upon, until they ended up in the stream.  In the stream was water (but of course!) and bigger stones and pebbles.  The current would have washed over those rocks, tossing them here and there. 

They slammed into the bigger rocks and were pummeled by pebbles that were being moved even more vigorously.  Those rocks rolled and tumbled and rubbed and bumped. 
They were moved over the streambed with relentless abuses. The quiet pools were only brief respites.  The places where the stream widened mere breaths before the stream rushed forward, tossing and tumbling the stones forward.

Those rocks soon came through the Valley of Elah, the place where the Israelite army was encamped.  And it was at the stream that wound it's way through the valley where David would reach in and choose those once jagged and edgy stones.  Now they were smooth and of good size; just right for a shepherd's sling, perfect for a flight of great purpose. 

"All those gathered here," he proclaimed, "will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give all of you into our hands." ~1 Samuel 17:47

Our five little stones, each with precious smile, twinkling eyes, and untapped potentials, also have sharp, pokey corners and jagged edges.  And they tumble often and are thrown into one another.  The cycle of rebuke, repent, rejoice is repeated over and over.  Little pebbles nick them; the boulders sometimes frighten them; the water seems too fast for them. 

Over and over I remind myself they belong to the Lord.  As they tumble and bump and rub against one another and life and truth and lies, they are being shaped for a greater day, a bigger purpose, a louder rejoicing.

"Reaching into his bag, and taking out a stone..."

Our deepest longing and prayer is that one day, they may all be held in the hand of The KING.