Sitting comfortable in my favourite arm chair, I closed my eyes and tried to relax. Shutting out the world around me my mind began to wander               A picture came into my mind, of a peaceful place we had visited many times in the lake district. Now I was sitting by a stream and the water is rushing over the stones. The water is clear and the morning sun is shining through the water.

            Watching the water rush over the stones, my eye is caught by one small pebble. The suns rays shone on the pebble and it stood out from the rest.

            I reached into the water and retrieved it. Holding it in my hand it didn’t look the same. It was now dull and it felt slimy, it was only the sun that gave it , its lustre. I slipped it into my pocket as a keep sake.

           Later at home, I empted my pockets and found the pebble. I held it again and wondered why I wanted to keep it.

           It was then that God seemed to speak to me. This is how you look to others. The water of life has buffed and hurt you, you have been thrown about at the bottom of the stream. Each time you touch another stone, another sharp edge gets knocked off and its making you smooth. Storms of life will come and circumstances change but I want you to know that I am in the water with you and I don’t see just another pebble, you are my pebble, standing out above the rest.