The Smoothing of the Stone
The Smoothing of the Stone Way back in 1991 B.C. (before children) Tracy and I went for a hike somewhere north of Pittsburgh. Alongside the trail was a flowing creek and since it was more fun to hop the rocks rather than walk on a smooth trail, we descended to the creek and proceeded to follow the stream. I was about one year into my first ministry position, a year out of seminary and less than a year into marriage. So, the hike was a much needed respite from the demands of church and trying to understand what it meant to be a husband. Now, being of the male gender, I, of course began not only hopping on rocks but also throwing and skipping them when possible. It was then that I made a startling discovery. I picked up a stone, which upon first glance, was very smooth as most rocks are in a stream bed. But upon further reflection, I noticed dozens of small pits in the stone that were evidence of the knocks and bumps that had occurred over many years. And in an unusu