Rock Collecting

June has recently gotten into rock collecting. She LOVES looking and studying each rock with particular interest in their uniqueness and differences. 

This summer she has been collecting rocks from our own yard and others we visit. She has been bringing home about 1-3 rocks a day. She then begs me, (for some reason right in the middle of making dinner) to come outside and see her rock collection. Since she can't remember which ones are new, when she gets me out there we have to look at each one all over again. 

Well last week was her first full week of school. She had been bringing home 1-3 rocks a day she finds at recess, but on Thursday, she brought home 19 rocks! She was so excited!

 (My eyes became enormous and I thought, "Man, by the time you are in 5th grade, we're going to have to buy the school all new gravel!")

I simply said, "June, these are lovely rocks, but the school will run out if you bring home this many everyday. Can you be VERY choosey and only pick 1 perfect rock a day?" 

She heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Oh good idea! My backpack is really heavy!"

As she sat on the stool at our counter top she wanted to show me everything she liked about every rock. Her eyes lit up and she radiated happiness! She grabbed what I thought was a normal grey rock and said, "I like this one because it's round and has little holes in it." 

She picked up another rock oozing with happiness and said, "I like this one because it's black and is like a triangle."

"I like this one because it's green and is smooth on this side."

"This one is pretty because the pink and black dots."

"This one sparkles in the sun! Mom, come see in the sun!"

She pulled me outside and we took the rock to a bright beam of sunlight shining through our trees and she said, "SEE!? Isn't it sparkly?!"

We ran back inside to look at all of her treasures. She bubbled with giddiness.

She continued to pick up each rock and describe to me how precious it was.

"I like this one because it feels fun."

"I like this one because it's shaped like a moon."

"I like this one because it's SO... pretty and white!"

(and she went on... and on... and on.)

It was such a sweet and tender 20 minutes with my little girl. She was looking at what I saw as ordinary playground rocks, when she saw jewels.

I couldn't help but think, this is EXACTLY what our Father in Heaven does with us. To us we may all seem ordinary with slight differences. Some are clearly different and stand out amongst the crowd, but all still are very similar. 

To God, we are all VERY unique and different. Some sparkle in the sun. Some have different colors, shapes and textures. Some have been broken, and show inside the rock's hidden treasures of shiny patches of granite. To the untrained eye, they may look normal and plain, but to Him, each is perfect and hold beauty, shape, and love. He is giddy when talking about each child and their differences. He wants to show everyone how each individual is different, and beautiful the way He made them. He rejoices in the differences between His rocks. 

I pray that when we look at those around us we don't see them as ordinary rocks, but as beautiful gems the Lord has put on this earth to make the world a glorious place.

My challenge to you, look for the beauty in all the rocks around you. It takes a humble eye to see the true beauty in the hardest rocks.

1 Samuel 16:7
"...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."