Song of the Stone
“Speak, for your servant is listening.”
1 Samuel 3:10
Simon Verity is a master stone carver who honed his craft restoring thirteenth-century cathedrals in Great Britain. With each careful blow of his chisel, Verity listened closely to the song of the stone. A solid strike indicated that all was well. But a higher-pitched ping meant that a chunk of rock might be ready to break off. He constantly adjusted the angle of his blows and the force of his mallet to the pitch, pausing frequently to run his hand over the freshly carved surface. Verity knew that one wrong move could cause irreparable damage to his work of art. His success depended on his ability to read the signals being sung by his stones.
In a similar way, parents need to listen to the “music” of their children, especially during times of confrontation and correction. It takes patience and sensitivity to discern how your child is responding. If you listen carefully, your boys and girls will tell you what they’re thinking and feeling.
Scripture says, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning” (Proverbs 1:5). By listening and honing your craft, you too can become a master carver who creates a beautiful work of art in your children.
Before you say good night…
- How well do you listen to the “music” of your children?
- Do you usually know what they are thinking and feeling?
- What more can you do to create a beautiful work of art in your kids?
Dear Lord, as parents we seek to overcome our flaws and inexperience to become master “carvers” of our children. Give us the ears to listen for every note in the lives of our kids, and grant us the wisdom to adjust as we help shape these precious beings into the people You want them to be. Amen.
Illustration adapted from Bringing Up Boys copyright © 2001 by James Dobson, Inc. Published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
This devotional is taken from Night Light for Parents. Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.