“There is none holy like the LORD;
there is none besides you:
there is no rock like our God.”
I Samuel 2:2
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Are you familiar with the illustration of rocks in a bottle? Only so many rocks can fit in a bottle. But once the rocks are in, you can pour several pebbles around the rocks. And once no more pebbles fit, sand will still find space in the bottle.
The bottle represents our lives. The big rocks are the importants that need to fill our lives. And once the importants are in place, there is still room for pebbles, the less importants; and after the pebbles sand can still sift into the small spaces remaining. Possibly the sand represents things that can be forgotten.
Earlier this week I was struggling. We had recently returned from our last and longest trip of the fall. I was tired. I was overwhelmed with my long do-list, the rocks, the pebbles, even the sand. My mind was swirling. I couldn’t even discern the rocks from the pebbles.
And then I remembered. The week before we had been visiting the Navigator ministry at the 
University of Connecticut (UConn). The late autumn days were chilly, the breezes were quiet, the sky was blue, the trees already dormant. I donned a heavy jacket (borrowed from our host), wrapped myself in a blanket, poured a cup of hot coffee, grabbed my journal and Bible and headed to their front porch. I sat. I stared at the beautiful New England countryside. Rock walls surround all the properties. In the middle of our travel those two mornings, the rocks reminded and were a gift from God.
Eventually God whispered, “but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night”. Psalm 1:2. Meditates — creates space for God.
The delight of the morning, the beauty, the place, the quiet created the space needed to fill my spiritual tank. This defined the big rock I needed before entering the rest of my people-filled, joy-filled day. “Be still, and know that I am God”. Psalm 46:10.
Like Hannah who prayed the words above from I Samuel, I experienced God as my rock.
Another scripture came to mind as I thought about my long do-list once home.
“Everyone then who hears (listens for God)
these words of mine and does (responds) them
will be like a wise (result) man who built his house on a rock”.
Matthew 7:24 (italics and parentheses mine)
Back home and pondering my reality, the next day was different. My mind was not swirling. It was good to sit and be with God, my BIGGEST rock, before moving to the pebbles, and thinking about which grains of sand I can let go.
My husband Bill sitting on a big rock during a recent camping trip.
“I love you, O LORD, my strength,
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold”.
Psalm 18: 1 & 2
Copyright: Sue Tell, November 2022
My friend Aleisha shared with me some of her thoughts about rocks. She took it a step beyond me. I encourage you to check out her blog, https://www.shelivesingrace.com/my-blog/throwing-rocks. Thank you Aleisha!
Thank you for sharing! I love how THE Rock communicates to us each differently, yet with the same message of love and grace! Thank you for your reminder this morning, Sue. My thoughts are landing back on the ‘big rocks’ of truth.
Let’s keep reminding each other of the importance of those BIG rocks!
So thankful for our friendship.
Sue, I very much needed this today. This very moment. Thank you for being God’s mouthpiece. I love you and appreciate you, Sister.
Back to you, Deann!!
You’re not alone. I’ve been receiving a lot of affirmation on this post. Thank you God!! That’s my heart, that my story would communicate God’s heart to my friends.
Love, sue
Sue, I felt more peaceful just reading your blog! Thank you, too, for including Ps . 46:10, a Scripture the Lord has recently laid on my heart. Grateful for you!
You know Sandy, several friends have gifted me in one way or another with those words. God knows I need the reminders!
Thank you Sue. I have mentioned this illustrations several times lately to others but have also needed the reminder myself lately. Said and felt that “I am overwhelmed” but often just soldier on. I really needed a reminder today. I wouldn’t even had seen your post if I hadn’t been “throwing sand” into my bottle by looking at Facebook before facing the day, knowing where I actually needed to go to face the day. Thank you Holy Spirit for short cutting that by bringing this article to my attention. .
Hi Donna,
I just came back from walking in the woods on pebble-y paths. Once in a while, I came across some BIG rocks. God reminded me. The pebbles are always there.
Okay, you convicted me. I often scroll through my phone before opening my Bible. Your application speaks to my heart. Let’s pray for each other to focus on those BIG rocks.
On the other hand, I’m glad you saw the post on FB. One of the main reasons I stay with FB is ministry to others.
Happy Thanksgiving!