Rock Walks
My wife likes this rock…smooth and a rich color.
This is not a grandparent story. Yet it must begin with a current personal delight of being a grandparent. She’s four years old. Because of her wise mother, she loves to read books. Perhaps a combination of natural gift and early literacy, she also has a vivid imagination. Conceivably, this is why she completely enjoys stories told to her. We don’t tell fairy tales. We tell rock stories. Not musical rock, laying on the ground rock made of minerals. Rock, the kind that breaks glass. Caroline totally enjoys rock stories. You know, get two or three rocks in your hand and make them characters that talk.
Now, it does take a rich imagination to enjoy a fabricated story with rocks as the main characters. But there is something fascinating about rocks. Need convincing? There are mineral and gem clubs all over the world.
Caroline and her grandpa are not the only ones who find rocks enjoyable. The New York Mineralogical Club was organized in 1886. To put that fact in historical perspective, 1886 is the same year the Statue of Liberty was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland.
Honest, rocks and minerals are fascinating.
My wife found this one, we plan to share with Caroline.
Is a rock a stone? Sure, but there are many other synonyms for rock. Try this list: pebble, boulder, gravel, and scree. And what makes a rock? The quick answer is minerals. Minerals are inorganic earth solids. They exist on all the earth’s surface. Salt is a mineral. Diamonds are minerals. Rocks are combinations of minerals. And there are three types of rock. Igneous rocks are formed through volcanic action. Obsidian is igneous rock. Then there are metamorphic rocks. The most common metamorphic rock may be granite. These are formed by intense pressure deep underground. And the third type of rock is sedimentary. You guessed it these rocks are formed from layers of compressed sediment. Sandstone is a sedimentary rock. Sedimentary rock is the most common form of the three.
This rock is rough. I found it on a hill of gravel.
Rocks sparkle. Rocks shine. Some are smooth. Others are rough. Most have intriguing shapes. Many human minds find great delight and interest in rocks. What is it about rocks that draws so many people to pick them up, collect them, categorize them and even polish them?
Rocks were made by God.
They reveal the power and divine nature of God.
Walk in a place where there are rocks for a time. Walk until you find a rock you like. Pick it up and hold it in your hand. Consider the fact that God made what you hold. Consider you hold an example of God’s power. Look at the rock you picked up and realize you see the divine nature of God in its beauty.
I picked this one on a gravel road near our house.
Take a rock WALK…
W-wonder.
A-asking questions.
L-looking, listening and learning.
Kingdom-every walk is in God’s Kingdom.
When you and your family take a rock WALK. Follow the rules. These rules were written for people like you and me to find the perfect rock. Children’s author, Byrd Baylor wrote the book “Everybody Needs a Rock” in 1985. In this book Baylor provides us with her 10 Rules for finding the perfect rock. They seem very wise. You should know them:
1. Go to a mountain (Can’t do that? A gravel road will do, or any place near you with rocks.)
2. Don’t worry…relax, it takes time to find the perfect rock.
3. Look a rock in the “eye.” Lay on your stomach-if you dare-get down to the rock’s level.
4. Your rock should not be a big as an elephant. (Though some elephant sized rocks are wonderful.)
5. Your rock should not be too small. A rock the size of a seed will get lost.
6. Your rock should feel comfortable in your pocket…and fit in your pocket.
7. Your rock should be the perfect color. Put a little water on it, it will help you decide.
8. Your rock should be the perfect shape-you’ll know.
9. Sniff your rock. While the sniff test may not be the main reason you pick the rock, it may help.
10. Nobody else should tell you which rock to pick-you decide. That makes it your rock.
There is one more reason why I like rocks…especially one in my pocket. A rock in my pocket, or yours is a reminder. Baylor’s rule that your rock fit in your pocket enables your rock to be a memory jogger. We said who made your rock…God. But the Bible tells us that Jesus was with God in the beginning. When God made the rocks, Jesus was there.
Our rocks remind us who the Creator of all things is.
On Palm Sunday people shouted, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38) The religious leaders, the Pharisees told Jesus, “Tell your disciples to be quiet, give them a talking to, they are too loud.” Remember what Jesus replied?
“I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Our rocks remind us to praise Jesus.
Go on a rock walk with your family. Find the perfect rock. Put it in your pocket. Next week take another rock walk…put this rock back, if you can. Find a new rock, put it in your pocket.
This rock was also on the gravel hill. It has been walked on, that is the reason for white scratches.