We had a family birthday party for our granddaughter at Sycamore Flats picnic area. The kids found a rock painted with a candy corn image. We explained that people were painting little rocks and placing them in public areas for others to find. Then it became a game to see if there were more. The rocks were dated or the place of origin written on the back. To be part of the game, the kids needed to take the rocks and put them somewhere else for others to find.
Years ago large rocks and stones too large to be moved were used to mark land boundaries or traces. It needed to be obvious and unmoveable, a landmark. As I read through Joshua this week, I read lots of lists. Isreal defeated this king and that king. This tribe was given this land that went from here to there. It's hard reading but God put it there for a reason. There are little nuggets hidden there if we look for them. Chapter 15, verse 6 says ". . . and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:" so I dug deeper.
Reuben was Jacob's oldest son. I didn't find Bohan listed in the "begets" so maybe he was a grandson somewhere down the line. Was the stone recently named or placed, or set up before Jacob and his sons went to Egypt? Joshua and the children of Israel probably knew. We know it was a legacy Bohan left for his family either to mark his land or an important event. Maybe even a grave. We still erect stones for monuments to battles and to mark graves.
Legacies may also be marked by traditions. What legacies are we leaving for our families? Fourth of July picnics? Family reunions? Birthday events? What about a daily legacy of family alter time? Altars were originally built of stone. A family altar is a "stone" that should never be removed from our homes.
What does family altar look like in your home?
Hey kids:
Hidden stones come with many messages. Sometimes the pictures mark an event. The candy corn made us think of fall.
Other stones have the names of towns and cities, dates and even Bible verses.
So that we don't disturb the environment, we can purchase inexpensive decorative stones from dollar stores.
Decide on your message.
Use acrylic paint or permanent markers to paint your message.
Don't leave your name or address. That could lead to danger.
You might ask mom or dad about painting a rock to leave on your hearth or coffee table to remind your family of family altar time.
We'd love for you to share pictures of your painted stones.
Blessings,
Gail
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