The Pebble and the Stream

God created both the pebble and the stream.
The stream may start as only a pool of water,
shining and shimmering.
Rains fall on the mountains far up high and joins
The pool of water, just as God intended.
The pool overflows and a stream begins to flow.
At times it pauses and is still,
at other times a storm forces it to move.
Its path may be changed during those storms,
and it winds a new path around the obstacles in its way.
What if we then are the stream?
Our path is not known to us, but only to God.
The stream in the mountain wouldn’t chart a new course
but for the Creator who sent the storm.
As people we try to chart our own course.
Sometimes we have pebbles thrust in front of us and
we are able to climb over those pebbles, continuing the path.
God sends the pebbles, lest the journey be too easy and
we not appreciate the smooth flow of the stream.
Sometimes the way is marked with larger stones.
As a stream, we work our way through the stones, picking our way.
What then happens when one’s stream has been
steadily heading down that mountain
The view of peaceful valley is in the distance
and the goal is within reach.
As it nears that place it has dreamed of,
it finds a field of boulders, not pebbles.
Every turn it takes leads to yet another boulder.
They are not pebbles now, or even stones.
A wall of boulders stands in front of the stream.
They weren’t there before.
They are new.
They have recently appeared.
The path is blocked.
Does the stream then forge ahead to cut a path through the boulder?
There are many paths leading from the place
where the stream pauses.
The stream is bubbling and anxious.
It is ready to wind its way
It is anxious to see new sights, smell new aromas, touch new things.
The stream can start to pound at the boulder blocking its path
Or.
The stream can silently and patiently wait.
It knows, and has always known, that God knows its path.
The Heavens will send a message
The path will become clear.
Perhaps it will lead to that valley it was yearning to reach
Or.
Perhaps God has a different plan.
Perhaps the gifts this stream brings are needed in another valley.
The stream must be patient.
It must sit quietly and wait for God to send his message.
Only then can it follow the plan that God has made for it.

-a