The fireplace in the new log home my husband and youngest son built out in the country many years ago was finished with cultured stone. This was deemed more practical, as river rock might have been too heavy for the floor, with its basement underneath. In the middle of the fake rocks, however, we had a real rock inserted. It was called a puddingstone, a quarzite stone with red and black pebbles imbedded in it.

This relatively heavy rock was lovingly brought home from St. Joseph’s Island in Lake Huron, Ontario. We had flown to visit my husband’s father, who had a cottage on the Island. It was a special rock, a part of the debris left behind on this edge of the Canadian Shield in a previous ice age. In the early 1800s, English settlers in the area thought it looked like boiled suet pudding with currants and red cherries sprinkled within. Hence the interesting name for a colourful rock.

As we enjoyed our fireplace that winter, we were able to tell visitors the story of the unique rock in the middle of the other, smoother rocks. It made a great conversation piece. Terry’s dad even came to visit once, and rejoiced to see “his” puddingstone put to good use.

Our special rock was not really commemorating anything, except possibly the tenuous relationship Terry had with his dad, who had been absent about half of his growing-up years.

In the Old Testament, a memorial was built with rocks gathered from the river Jordan, where the people of Israel crossed over on dry land, into the Promised Land. “Then Joshua said to the Israelites, ‘In the future your children will ask, “What do these stones mean?” Then you can tell them, “This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.”‘ For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.” (Joshua 4:21-24 NLT)

I doubt that this stone memorial would still be near the Jordan River to this day, although various theories as to the location of the rocks have been proposed. Perhaps it is not necessary to locate it, as we now have the written Word which tells the entire story of the conquest of the Promised Land.

Our puddingstone fireplace is still in the house, but we are no longer there. We sold the log house, after having lived in it for six years. My attempts to settle down and put down roots on our six-acre piece of land did not work out. Things like planting the little evergreen tree our second grandson received in Grade One. Planting a garden, and moving in perennial shrubs and flowers. It proved to be impractical, in my husband’s mind, to live out in the country far from family and medical facilities.

What are the implications of this story for today? Our puddingstone stood out amongst the other rocks. The stone memorial stood out and piqued the curiosity of following generations. They learned about the power and goodness of God. Today, our lives themselves have to stand out to the unbelieving world. In this generation, it is not automatic for people to attend church or to read the Bible. They generally have no clue as to what God is really like. People watch us to see how we handle the challenges of life. We need to live reflecting the light of Christ, so that people see and understand our uniqueness, so that they, too, can bring glory to their Creator.

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 The Message)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help us to shine like bright lights to those around us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Alice Burnett
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada