We drove up the coast of Lake Superior, rolled up our jeans, and waded into the waves. We were embarking on a bit of an adventure “hunting agates” — a type of rock with beautiful bands that originally formed from volcanoes.
My family and I had no idea what we were doing, but nevertheless, we felt fantastic about our newfound skills. We collected so many special rocks! Look at us! Among the waves and the giggles and the chubby hands proudly showing me their bless-their-heart-clearly-fake agates as I was hunting real ones, I was marveling over how years of waves smooth the stones.
“There’s a lesson in there somewhere,” I chortled. “The post practically writes itself!”
We stopped at a local bookstore, and I picked up a book about agate hunting — clearly our new hobby. I felt quite proud as we sat down with our book and our treasures.
Only it turns out . . . we’re miserable agate hunters. The whole lot of us. Not one discernible agate in the bunch.
I had this whole idea that these weathered stones actually contained something gorgeous inside — and wow — isn’t that like us?
Except the stones we picked were actually mostly just, ya know . . . rocks. Rocks! I felt like Charlie Brown after he gets rocks when he goes trick-or-treating.
Maybe the lesson is for us to enjoy the moment and not the end result.
It’s cliche but sometimes we need the cliche more than the profound. And we all need reminders to live in the present. To laugh when you stumble into the waves. To figure it out when you get it wrong. To laugh at yourself. To enjoy the presence of another. To be present instead of always looking ahead.
We all have different orientations to time. I’m a forward-thinking person, but maybe you’re one who tends to get lost in the past or focused on the present. I’ve been trying to be more present in my reality, but sometimes it’s difficult. How can I see God when I once again clean the bathroom? When my child asks the same question for the fiftieth time?
I can be so focused on what is to come that I miss the delight of being in God’s presence now. Of seeing the image of God in my life, in my neighbor, in myself now.
I’m reminded of Elijah and his experience of hearing God. He expected to hear God in the crack of an earthquake, in the fire after the storm. But instead, God spoke to Elijah with a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:11-18).
We often think of God speaking to us through something grand. Through beautiful, multicolored gemstones. But what if God is speaking to us through the plain brown pebbles, too?
I still have my little sandwich bag of gray and brown stones. I keep it in my office close to my desk. And when I hold the smooth tiny stones in my hands, I remember that God was with me then, is with me now, and will be with me in the future.
The Maker of all things delights in me — in you — because we are simply called Beloved. The sacredness of our time on Lake Superior wasn’t in the beautiful rocks, but in the laughter shared and memories made. What might you be missing out on if your future expectations distract you from the sacredness of now?
We think we find God in the fancy agates, but maybe we find God in the simple moment. Immanuel, God with us.
A Blessing for Finding God in the Mundane
May you catch your breath, even when the scenic views are the mountains of laundry.
When you feel most unseen, may you see your Belovedness reflected in every dirty dish, every traffic jam, and every piece of junk mail.
When you feel the scarcity of time, may you experience the timeless magic of a child’s laughter or a grandmother’s embrace.
When everything feels like too much, may you find laughter hidden in your pocket like a forgotten $5 bill.
When your body aches with the world’s pain, may a cup of comfort find your hands and infuse warmth into your weary soul.
And most of all, may you know that you are held in the palm of a God who knows you and sees you — who is present in every ordinary task and exhausting headline, who delights in your laughter and sits with you in your tears.
Who knows you, really knows you.
And loves you infinitely more than any words strung together could ever even fathom.
Madeline says
So beautifully written and an excellent reminder for me. Thank you.
Kayla Craig says
Thank you for reading, Madeline. May you feel God’s presence in a new way today.
Lynne says
This: “What might you be missing out on if your future expectations distract you from the sacredness of now?” I have always been a forward-thinker or I should say forward-worrier! Thank you Kayla for reminding us to be present in the here and now.
Kayla Craig says
Forward-worrying is so real! With you on that, Lynne. Thanks for reading!
Ruth Mills says
Oh Kayla, this is so point on!!! Thank you for using your skills to put into words what we all need to hear! Blessings!
Kayla Craig says
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Ruth! Honored by your words!
Brenda M. Russell says
Thank you for this important article ! I am so grateful to read these words of encouragement the way I really feel a lot of the time, unseen and sometimes looked over by my husband. As long as I do what is expected of a good secretary, my husband seems to be alright. I don’t like working for my husband because he doesn’t pay me. He feels like his family support is enough.
I am learning a lot about living in the moment and taking life one day at a time. God’s Grace is sufficient for me today. His mercies are new every morning. He keeps His eye on me and no one or nothing can snatch me out of His Hand(s).
Sometimes I think females (mothers) are taken for granted, cooking, cleaning, helping with homework, tax info gathering, living on a very tight budget and forgiving all family mistakes. That’s so hard to live up to all the time. If I could get a week off from all domestic thoughts, responsibilities and family dynamics, without any phone calls that are urgent and without any late fees that need to be paid, I believe I could get my 2nd wind (breathing space). I need a rejuvenating time to just be held by the Lord. I need to be cherished by my husband the way my love language is defined (help our children). I need to be at peace with how different my husband is from my perspectives. It’s not easy because God is a good, good Father so I expect my husband to be a good, good Father to our children.
I will keep practicing living in the moment, taking one day at a time using Faith as my foundation to stand on (with the Word as my Guide).
Thank you all for your prayers.
Enjoy your day and be comforted and encouraged if you need extra strength and courage.
God bless your steps.
Brenda
Your Sister in Christ
Donna Burttschell says
I am praying for you Brenda and for your marriage and family. I have read that when you seem most loneliness and forsaken that God is near. I cling to that and to Him daily. May our beautiful savior Jesus be very near to you and encourage your heart and be the Lifter of your head!
Becky Keife says
Brenda, my heart goes out to you sister. That’s a lot to be carrying, holding, enduring. Praying you feel God’s nearness and know that your Heavenly Father sees you and esteems you, even when others overlook you.
Beth Williams says
Brenda,
Abba Father please give Brenda the strength to carry on. Change her husband’s attitude to be more of a helper to her. Make her feel you near ALL the time. Infuse her life with peace & harmony. AMEN!
Blessings 🙂
Nelda says
Thank you, I needed this today! Beautifully written.
Kayla Craig says
Thank you for reading, Nelda.
Leone Byron says
I so needed to see this today. Thank you for the reminder that God sees us and loves us. ❤️.
Kayla Craig says
We all need those little reminders. Thank you for reading!
Janet Williams says
Oh Kayla THANK YOU… \0/
I really really needed this reminder today! Your words just filled me in the same gentle loving way God does..
“We often think of God speaking to us through something grand.” (which He does)
“Through beautiful, multicolored gemstones.” (which He does)
“But what if God is speaking to us through the plain brown pebbles, too?” (which He does)
Kayla Craig says
So grateful for what you shared here, Janet! That gentle love of Christ is such a comfort in these times.
Diane Bailey says
I laughed when I read the discovery that none were agate stones. I’ve had a similar experience.
And I loved the reminder that God can speak through the glittery colors and the monotone grays of life.
Kayla Craig says
Sometimes you just have to laugh, right?! Thanks for reading, Diane! May we have eyes to see the love of Christ in the monotone grays.
Pearl Allard says
You had me at “agate”! I felt your elation, disappointment, and eventual contentment and joy in the journey. Beautiful. Thank you.
Kayla Craig says
Thank you so much for reading!
Carol Brown says
My husband, being a rockhound, makes me appreciate your story. I am more about this is a beautiful rock and I love God’s nature person. I am so glad you found joy in your precious finds.
Kayla Craig says
Aw, thank you, Carol! When it comes to rocks, maybe beauty really *is* in the eye of the beholder. 🙂
Lisa says
I live in Michigan and I know how COLD Lake Superior is, so kudos to you for even going on this adventure! My life is very exhausting and mundane right now. Thanks for the reminder to look for God in everything, He is there. . . Somewhere
Kayla Craig says
Yes, that water really wakes you up, doesn’t it?! I hope you are able to see glimmers of glory within the seemingly mundane moments of your life this weekend.
Beth Williams says
Kayla,
God is in the mundane as well as the grand. We just need to focus more on Him & not our situations or expectations. This scripture comes to mind Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” The God of the universe rejoices over me with singing is hard to fathom. He loves us that much!!