A Rock-Solid Memory

 

I would like to welcome guest blogger and author friend Julie Lavender for the month of July. Would you like a chance to win a free copy of her book, 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories? Simply scroll all the way down, past “related posts”, to make a comment. Or…go to my FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/authorbeckyvanvleet. All comments will be entered into a drawing to win a copy of her book. Deadline is Saturday, July 10, midnight, MDT. Good luck! Winner will be announced on this post and on Facebook on Sunday, July 11.

A Rock-Solid Memory

Sometimes the simplest activity turns into the most precious memory

Several months before my grandson Benaiah turned two, I had the treat of entertaining him while the family played disc golf. When he tired of the toddler-sized balls I brought along to the park, as well as the clunky, plastic trucks and cars I lugged around, I resorted to a favorite toy my boys enjoyed at that age.

This ancient entertainer has been around since the beginning of time. It costs nothing yet has brought priceless memories to families for hundreds of years. Solid. Sturdy. Unbreakable. Needs no batteries. Dependable. Found everywhere. “What is it?” you ask.

ROCKS.

I enticed Benaiah to take a short walk to a small gurgling stream.  We sat with our feet nearly touching the mud at the water’s edge. I handed him a rock, and I held one in my hand, too. I tossed my rock into the water and said, “Splash.”

With pure delight, Benaiah mimicked Grandmommy, and tossed his rock into the water, too. He watched, mesmerized by the leaping droplets of water and the ripples radiating from the rock’s entry point. He held his chubby toddler hand out for another gift. I placed a rock in his hand, and he chunked that one into the water, too.

The little one, typically in constant motion didn’t move from his spot for twenty minutes. Fortunately, there were many rocks and pebbles within my reach. I handed them over to Benaiah, one by one.

Six months later, whenever we’re together, Benaiah and I find an opportunity to toss rocks into a puddle, a small stream, or pond. With my hand firmly clasping his, he’s even experienced the excitement of throwing a rock with his free hand, from a bridge.

Child psychologists say memories aren’t retained at that age. But, I have pictures to show and stories to tell him. With frequent reminders and repeated rock adventures, I know memories created with the simplicity of rocks and water will be retained.

Just like knowing his grandmommy’s love is forever. Solid. Sturdy. Unbreakable. Dependable. Needs no batteries and found everywhere and any time we spend precious moments together.

But, even more than that, I want him to know that  God’s love is forever. Solid. Sturdy. Unbreakable. Dependable. Everywhere. A love that is as rock solid as scripture tells us and as I want to tell my sweet Benaniah:

And they remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their Redeemer. Psalm 78:35

For who is God, besides the Lord? And who is a rock, besides our God? 2 Samuel 22:32

There is no one holy like the Lord, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2

Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. Isaiah 26:4

But the Lord has been my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge. Psalm 94:22

He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold: I shall not be greatly shaken. Psalm 62:2

What about you? Do you have a favorite unexpected treasure with a child, neice, nephew, grandchild, or any special child in your life that turned into a precious memory? Is there a special scripture you want young children in your circle to know?

 

BIO: Julie Lavender loves making memories with her now-adult children and her precious grandson, Benaiah. She’s written a book to encourage parents and grandparents to turn each day into a memory making opportunity. Her book, 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories, published by Revell, was released in October 2020. Julie is married to her high school and college sweetheart, David, and the two live in south-Georgia.  You can read more at  https://julielavenderwrites.com/

Julie’s blog first appeared on Marilyn Nutter’s website, “Discovering unexpected treasures in our life stories.” I enjoyed it so much that I asked permission to share her post on my website!