Friday, August 20, 2010

Rock-Solid Encouragement

Have you ever seen a prettier rock? It's a worry rock - according to grandson Aiden, who painted it and gave it to us. Instructions came with it: when worried, just rub the rock and cares will fade away! Now wouldn't that be easy? Easy . . . yes, but then we'd never know the joys of depending on God and seeing Him work in our lives.

So what value does it have? Well, it's pretty sitting on my kitchen window ledge . . . it has the fingerprints of Aiden on it, and he was so happy to give it to John David and me . . . it's one of those gifts a grandparent cherishes. But more than that it's a reminder of another rock - The Rock! The Rock of Ages! The Rock that can't be shaken! The Rock that I can always go to with worries, cares, and burdens! The Rock that I can hide in until the present storm and future storms pass.

I love the imagery and the truth in the old hymn "He Hideth My Soul" by Fanny Crosby. In part it says:
A wonderful Saviour is Jesus, my Lord;
He taketh my burden away.
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved;
He giveth me strength as my day.

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the Rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land.
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.

I'm especially drawn to the word picture of being hidden in the bottomless depths of His love! Now that's the antidote for worry!

Thank you, Lord, for your patience in reminding me of this truth over and over again!

11 comments:

Mari said...

I love the worry stone - and it's even more special because of the love that went into making it.
Great comparison to the Rock of ages!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I've had a 'worry stone' myself ---sometime in the past. Mine was tiny --and I carried it in my purse for years and years.... I would rub it on occasion --and it always made me feel better.

God Bless.
Hugs,
Betsy

Southern Lady said...

Beautiful post. I could listen to that song "Come to Jesus" over and over again. I am so glad that he carries my burdens. Carla

Dawn said...

Once again I'm playing catch-up. What beautiful thoughts and pictures, as usual.

I love this latest one about the worry stone - this has been a really tough week at our house and every single time I turn around, I'm hearing a song or reading a post or devotional that speaks right to my soul. Isn't God good that way??

Ginny Hartzler said...

I can't think of a more perfect gift from a grandchild! It really is quite pretty. And wonderful words to go with your story! They sell worry stones around here. You hold them and turn them over in your hands to de-stress. But the ones I've seen are just plain polished rocks, nothing pretty like this.

Karin said...

Catching up on reading your last few posts was an encouraging, uplifting time before the Lord! That is a beautiful worry stone and such a great reminder of our awesome Rock of Ages! Thanks for sharing your inspirational thoughts - simply lovely! God bless!

Beth said...

I'd forgotten that song, but as soon as you alluded to it, an image sprang up in my mind of my dad leading the congregation in that song during an evening service. Such powerful words.
It's so sweet that your grandson gave you that. The message that emerged from it in your words is powerful and needed. I really liked this---thank you.

mariel said...

love that worry rock...and the One True Rock who daily carries our burdens! Beautiful song, too.

Arti said...

Hi, first time to your blog. A beautiful gift from your grandson... A worry rock.. Very nice post.. Yes, his love is the antidote.
Have a nice day:)

Nancy said...

Beautiful rock, decorated by your sweet grandson! And, as always, I love your spiritual application. Thanks!!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I've seen lots of worry stones, but none prettier than yours. It's true we do sometimes need a reminder of who to put our trust in and leave our worries with Him. The good Lord sure does take care of things much better than I can.