The Forgiven Stone

I was browsing a bookstore within walking distance of the convention I was attending when I found it. One large stone imprinted with one compelling word, forgiveness. The thing all but spoke out loud to me. I bought it impulsively and began toting it back to the convention center. It was heavy when I struck out. It grew increasingly so over the next two city blocks. As I tried to balance the massive stone along with my purse, my to-go glass of sweet tea from lunch, and various other packages, the rock’s jagged edges began cutting into my forearms. Unbidden, the image of a certain person came to my mind and parked there. I found myself thinking of how she must be hurting inside. I know full well that she is living with a ton of regrets and though she won’t admit to it, I suspect she won’t allow herself to experience the forgiveness of God that she’s asked for and received. As I struggled on with my heavy stone, I felt the Lord begin to talk to me about how the load of guilt my loved one totes is impacting every area of her life. Gently, the questions came.

“So, Shellie, how hard would it be to carry this around every day?”

“Tell me, could you carry this and help anyone else?”

“By the way, how difficult are you finding it to focus on anything other than the heavy weight tearing into your skin?”

By the time I reached the convention center, I needed a restroom makeover. I’d prayed for that wounded soul and cried most of my makeup off in the process. Jesus taught in word pictures when He walked the earth and He still speaks to us today through everyday things like rocks and stones.

No one has a monopoly on guilt, and thankfully, no one has to bear its weight when God provided for our forgiveness and gave us a future through the cross of Christ. Don’t carry your stone another step. Ask Father for forgiveness and lay that heavy thing down.

Hugs, Shellie