I delight in giving gifts, little trinkets, tokens of beauty to surprise the people I love. I find that it is a way to encourage someone who might need a touch from the Lord. So imagine how thrilled I was to find stones engraved with words of inspiration at a bargain store. I piled all of the packages they had on the shelf into my cart, well pleased with my discovery.
I gave a heart marked love to my mother the afternoon I accompanied her to the first of her chemotherapy treatments. As tears flowed with equal abandon down both of our faces, I suggested she keep it close as a reminder of both God’s love and mine.
I gave one faith stone to a young friend departing for five months of bible and missions training in Africa. This would be her first time away from home, and I wanted her to remember that the plans God has for her are good.
Another stone bearing the word joy served as a farewell gift to a church friend moving out of town. She was sad to be walking away from our customary Sunday morning greeting hugs. I told her to consider herself embraced and cherished each time she felt the stone in her pocket.
I began to carry a few stones in my purse, so I would always have one on hand should the Holy Spirit prompt me to share. The other day I noticed that one rock at a time, I had given away almost all of them.
Only three remained; truth, faith and hope. As I spread them out on the table before me something shifted and settled in my spirit. When I know the truth I can walk in faith that God is Who He says He Is which allows me to live in hope.
I sensed God telling me:
Know Me – know truth: Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 NIV
Know Me – know faith: So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God Romans 10:17 NKJV
Know Me – know hope: I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT
I am keeping these three as a gift to myself, a reminder of where to place my focus and my trust. I will carry them with me in the same way I carry His Word in my heart. When I feel the cool smoothness in my hands, I will look forward to the day He promises to me.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” Revelation 2:17 NKJV
What promises are you storing in your heart?
HisFireFly @ Flickers of a Faithful Firefly
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Thanks you for this very inspirational Sunday morning post. I’m sure that many times over the years I have seen small, inexpensive things on a shelf, like your stones and passed them by thinking “Cute, but I don’t need more clutter.” My prayer is that next time I will have your mindset and think about how I can use them for others, not just for myself.
Thanks Diana.
It is easy to pick things up as we find them, just to have on hand when God prompts us. True, it may take up some shelf space, but will turn into blessings one day.
“When I know the truth I can walk in faith that God is Who He says He Is which allows me to live in hope.”
Yes, this! Since losing my infant son to SIDS, I’ve stumbled along. The past month or so, I’ve allowed God’s peace and truth speak to me. I walk in faith now, that He will give me the strength for each breath, the peace for each moment, hope to face each morning, and joy in the evening. I am truly blessed to be His child.
Peggy:
Praying that you indeed feel His peace and loving hand as you walk through each day, beauty for ashes and a spirit of praise for your mourning.
Thank you Karen!
I’ve done something similar, with cards and little booklets. So many people need encouragement and hope. If there isn’t hope, it’s hard to find reasons to live.
You are a blessing and gift that God uses to those around you, and the online community! Thank you.
Peg
Karin, I love anything with words on it. And I also keep my favorite ones around as reminders or gifts. It reminds me of what God told the Israelites to do in the Old Testament–wear His Word, put it on the doorframes of their homes, keep it close. I’m sure you’ve blessed so many with this word ministry of yours–and you’ve certainly blessed us here today!
Thank you Holly! I felt honoured to be able to contribute to the community here!
Words…as bloggers/writers, we love them, don’t we?
There’s a Southern word for little gifts like these: surcies (spelled a thousand different ways!). They’re little thought-gifts, rarely of value materially but weighty with meaning and significance; how I appreciate that you keep these on hand to give away.
Words matter; they have the potential to change the course of our days. And the most crucial indicator of their importance is God preserved them in scripture for us!
Glad you contributed this sweet post :).
I agree Robin, words are even more important than we know.
What we speak has great power.
I have been going through a rough time with a prodigal daughter. I miss her so much and have prayed so much that God will keep her from destroying her life.
I walk and pray everyday. God showed me a heart shaped stone one day! A tear stone another day, and a stone with a dip in it another day.
I keep them in my pocket now and take them out , or feel them and have comfort that HE knows my broken heart and her heart too, and that HE knows my tears for her, and that HE holds her in His palm and will not lose her.
I too, love to give gifts to others , for it brings me so much joy to see them smile. And in my season of sorrow , I need the extra joy.
I have not thought of giving rocks, but I could find neat rocks and paint a word on them and give them to hurting people, and maybe they would have comfort as I do in a season of joy, or sorrow, or pain, etc.
Thanks for ideas!
I pray that God continue to show you His love through signs in rocks or clouds or anywhere else your eyes land. He will be your strength and comfort and will continue to guide your prodigal home.
I love your gift-giving idea- and I too want to start looking for more things that I can give away. As Diana commented, I often think, “cute , but I don’t need it” – but I need to start thinking of who does. Your sensitivity to who needed what word was precious, and the three stones you had left seemed to speak directly to your heart in what you needed to hear. Wonderful when God works it out like that!
I agree with you Beth. God is indeed amazing in the way He works to touch our hearts. I’ll bet He shows you exactly which trinkets to buy and have on hand to give to those you love.
I love this sweet post, and I love that you give little gifts for no reason at all, just because, or because someone you love needs a lift or a kind word. It reminds me of my mom, who does the same thing. And it inspires me to carry on her (and your) tradition. Thank you.
Thank you Michelle. Perhaps I give gifts because a very generous God lives within me and I allow Him to move me. Your mother sounds like a gem too!
Beautiful post! I love that you recognized God’s prompting to have these stones to give away to others, yet also to keep these three for you to look at. We all need reminders of God’s love, hope, and trustworthiness in this troubled world, and it’s good to recognize that we are not exempt from needing renewal!
Thank you for this great inspiration and encouragement!
Oh Caroline.. you are so very right that we all need renewing and refreshing, not only on a daily basis, but sometimes moment by moment. We have an amazing God Who is more than willing to pour in when we pour out!
How beautiful your story of the stones. And more precious is how the Lord revealed His wisdom to you about the “leftover” stones.
Your post was so well written, too.
Blessings,
Janis
Thank you Janis. I was touched and tickled by the words that were left, and knew that only God could have planned things that way.
Thanks for you kind words of encouragement, they too are a gift.
Your gift giving says so much about your heart. What an encouragement and a blessing to your friends. Thank you for sharing this truth!!!
Thanks Melissa 🙂
This verse just came to mind:
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 11:19
You, my friend, have a tender and undivided heart. You bless me, and I’m so glad to know you.
Wonderful post, Karin. Such wisdom and what a power message. The rocks will serve as memorial stones in heart I’m sure.
Been praying for you. So glad to see you over here, too.
Blessings, Marsha