Family Faith and Fun Fridays: Reading the Rocks

Welcome to Family Faith and Fun Fridays! As the week winds down and I anticipate more family time over the weekend, I often ask God for one good idea that will enable me to bring the Word to life and bring our family together. Usually, the activity overflows out of something the Lord has been teaching me through His Word during the week. I’d like to invite you to join me and my family in the adventure. Sometimes I’ll post things we’ve tried; other times I’ll post an idea in the works. If you’ve got thoughts to add or suggestions on how to adapt or improve the activity, please don’t hesitate to comment.   Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several summers ago, I took the kids to the local cemetery on a lovely day and we completed a rather unusual activity: we spent some time “reading the rocks.” Armed with the simple scavenger hunt posted below, we spent an hour just reverently roaming the beautiful memorial grounds. We visited the grave sites of great grandparents and babies lost before their time. We admired the flowers and the trinkets that adorned the stones, and we wondered aloud about the stories behind the pinwheels and stuffed animals placed lovingly near the tombstones. We imagined the dreams and tales of the persons whose lives were recorded only in dates and dashes. We searched for commonalities between ourselves and those who had gone before us– like shared names or favorite flowers.  

And my children left intrigued. They wanted to talk about life and death and hope and dreams. They wanted to know more of the stories of family members never met. And I was reminded of why it is important to remember.  In remembering the dead, we are reminded of what a gift it is to live. In remembering our own mortality, we celebrate the scandalous grace of eternal life. In remembering that one day our life on earth will be represented by a mere dash stuck between two dates, we are inspired to make that dash count.  

This weekend, why not take some time to remember? Perhaps, like us, you’ll read the rocks, or maybe you’ll just pull out some old photo albums and tell some favorite family stories. Whatever you do, may your Memorial Day be blessed.