A time to gather stones
Norah Summers
November 25, 2023
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Ecclesiastes 3: 5 (NRSVA)
5
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
When we moved in to our present house, it was new – and so was the garden. It was full of stones – big ones, yes, a rockery was a solution for those; bits of broken slabs - crazy-paving; medium-sized stones – edging for a border. And the wee chuckies – well, we are still picking them out over 40 years later.
When people started to till the land and plant crops, they had to clear the ground.
Big stones might make a dry-stane dyke to enclose the field. Some might be used to build a cairn as a memorial. Some might just be piled up until a use could be found. But they could not stay lying around on the ground to lame the oxen and inhibit the seedlings.
Some stones are useful – others are obstacles, stumbling blocks.
A new building is fine to look at, a ruin can be dangerous.
A time to build up – that is an optimistic idea. A time to tear down – not so much. But we are often faced with letting things go. Even when we have spent time and energy developing some plan or enterprise, there will come a time when that is no longer needed or fit for purpose.
Let it go – lighten up!
Prayer:
Loving God, when we face the end of something,
and are sad and regretful,
show us Jesus,
who said he would tear down the temple and rebuild it in three days.
When we think everything has been scattered beyond recovery,
give us grace and courage to gather stones together
and build anew.
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