A Test of Obedience

I spend my summers in northern Michigan, USA, up near Lake Superior, where beautiful agates can be found. I love searching for them, and I find some almost every time I go looking. One day I found a beautiful, bright white-on-white agate! I scooped it up. It was the best one I had found all summer. Then the thought came to me: You need to give this one away. I argued with myself, But surely not! but could not get rid of the thought.

Then another thought: Do you ever want to find another agate? That stopped me in my tracks. I remembered a recent conversation with the Lord.

I had assured Him I was not idolizing the agates.

I just loved finding them because He had made them, and they were beautiful, and each one was unique. I believed He was testing me now.

But who should I give it to? Several people came to mind, but none seemed right. Then I noticed a couple on the beach, looking for stones.

She sat on the seat of her walker, and I knew immediately it was for her. When I asked if they were looking for agates, the man said, “Yes, but we haven’t found any yet.” I handed the white agate to the woman and told her the Lord had invited me to give it to her. She looked surprised as she took it. She said it was beautiful and thanked me.

She shared that she was having back problems, and they had come to the beach just to get out and have some fun. As I walked away, an overwhelming sense of joy flooded my soul, and tears filled my eyes. How incredible to think that God had used me to give a message of encouragement to a stranger. To let her know that He was thinking of her in her pain. He saw her—and loved her. I continued to look for stones, my eyes scanning the beach. It had become a habit by now. Then I saw it: an exquisite stone patterned with swirls that wound around little holes. A special gift from God, it reminded me instantly of Van Gogh’s Starry Night.

It may not seem like much to most people, but giving away the white agate was a big thing, even though I have many. The biggest thing of all, though, was being used by God to bless one of His children. I am so glad I listened.

The blessing of obedience is greater than any agate.

Besides, when we get to heaven, I will receive a white stone from the hand of Jesus Himself!

Susan Erickson