More Than Skipping Rocks
We did not plan another “power check” today. What we did plan was some rock skipping at the lake. One reason God made rocks is for boys to throw. So, we rode bikes to the lake and threw stones to skip them in the wind tossed lake water. But, by the end of the rock skipping time it was clear we had been given a power check. In case you are skeptical, we have pictures to corroborate our claim.
You already know we some rock skipping. Truthfully, there were no flat smooth stones. Only one rock skipped. Or possibly it was our lack of skipping skill. The oldest one of the two of us quickly lost interest in skipping rocks. That would be me. Another idea had come to mind; ride to another part of the shore where there was a small dock. We brought some clean rocks in our pockets, that was just in case we needed them. Why clean rocks you wonder? Do you like dirty pockets?
(All captions in are from my 10 year old… “team-mate.”) This photo: “That’s cool.”
Maybe it was the benches that called the oldest of us to sit down. Perhaps it was the fact that the wind was just as forceful as in the first location. The youngest one threw his rocks. We rated each toss, not a single skip came from any rock. The benches were calling.
We looked up. On a day filled with cumulus clouds moving as fast as the wind, you look up. My delight was a blue hole framed in white cumulus. My partner saw a “dragoduck.” Yes, it is part dragon and part duck. It was invisible to the oldest one of our team of two. Then, since we both have shorter attention spans, we changed to our next activity: “Truth or Dare.” This is where one of us thinks of something true or something daring. The other person must choose truth or dare before action. Our first dare was standing on a big rock on shore and jumping up when the lake waves swept over it. In the end, neither of us thought it was a good dare. Getting wet was a sure thing.
(“Team-mate response:) “That’s cool!”
When the youngest got his turn, he stood and said, “follow me.” The senior member of our team (me) unenthusiastically followed. He knew the youngest thought of difficult dares. But it turned out instead to be a delightful, beautiful surprise. He sent me into the tall grass. There my eyes spotted a Large Yellow Lady Slipper, just one. He was soon there with me, tall grass was no obstacle. Yellow framed in green is beautiful.
(“Team-mate response:) “A relative of the Minnesota State flower.”
We made a group decision. It was time to ride bike, and go home. Down the trail we headed, over the little wooden bridge, up the grassy trail and little hill then turning to the right. We did not go far after that, blue damselflies were everywhere. Well, it seemed like it. I gave him my phone with the camera on. He began taking pictures of the rich blue, delicate damsels of June. My wish was for him to move closer. He did not. The damsels pictures are distant.
My team-mate said, “I found it.” (He also took the photo.)
We got a bonus surprise at the top of the hill on the street above the lake. The oldest of us was pedaling head down…you know, concentrating. It was fortunate. My eyes picked up the form of a bumblebee…on the black asphalt. We never discussed why it was there. Perhaps it was warming itself. It was beautiful…that is a primary quality of a bumblebee, that and the big buzz.
(“Team-mate response:) “The bee that grandpa found.”
Why am I telling you this? Couldn’t I just keep this great experience with a grandson as a delightful private memory? And reading it may be entertaining…but…why share it with you?
Because I want to encourage you to take your children and if you have them your grand children outside. Consider all the ways it was possible for me to connect our time outside with God as Creator: the rocks, the wind and waves, the sky and clouds, even “Truth or Dare.” Then there was the Large Lady Slipper, the Damsel flies and the bumblebee…and the fresh air, the exercise and do not forget the time together.
All of these things can be used to bring God into the conversation. Taking a cue from Romans 1:20, I call time outside, “Power Checks.” Time outside is the best way to see God has the power. It is the best way to see the God is divine. But you must go outside, and be intentional about seeking the ways to connect God to what you see and hear. Try it. It gets easier every time you attempt a “power check.”
God does exist. Power checks may be the best way to prove it. You have nothing to lose and may gain eternity for someone you love.