Lesson 2: Rocks Are Good

Two Springs ago, when we were clearing the garden beds for the first time since moving into our house, Frit told me to clear the weeds and rocks completely from the soil. Being the obedient, thorough, hard working, slightly OCD gal that I am, I began to meticulously comb the dirt for every sprout and stone, large or small. I was pulling stuff she couldn’t even see! (Have I ever told you she’s blind as a bat? I don’t think I have. So. FYI: She’s blind as a bat.) I was so pleased with myself and the great job I was doing.

Well Frit’s sister and brother-in-law were helping us that day and about two hours into my clearing, Zak (the brother-in-law) sidled up beside me to see what I was doing. I proudly pointed out my growing mountain (mound) of rocks and the beautifully sifted soil. “Why are you doing that?!” he quickly and incredulously asked. “Because Frit told me to,” I answered, slightly deflated that my skillz had gone unpraised. “No, no. You’re not going to want to do that,” he said. “Rocks keep the soil soft. So keep taking out the huge rocks, but leave the mid-sized and small ones behind. They’ll help keep the dirt from packing together too tightly and getting hard.”

Aha.

I couldn’t help but think of Paul, dear Paul, and his thorn in the flesh. I couldn’t help but think about my own hard things–all the rocks and stones and boulders that litter the soil of my own life’s path. And I saw. I saw how they keep me soft. Soft enough for the rain to seep in and the sun’s warmth to sink deep. Soft enough for seeds to break open and yield new life.

Yes. Rocks are good.

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And the Lord spake unto me saying … I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. (Found here.)