The Painted Stone by the Path

Ava found a smooth stone while walking with her father. She wanted to paint it blue and place it beside the front path. At home they washed off the mud and let it dry on an old towel.

Ava painted a small bird on one side. Its wings looked uneven, but she knew which brush marks belonged to her. When the paint dried, she carried the stone outside and chose a place beside the lavender.

Her brother came home and admired it. Ava told him how she had washed it, painted it, and waited for the colors to dry. She cared about the stone because she had worked on it so carefully.

That evening Father read the verse that says the Lord made us. He explained that people are far more precious than painted stones. God knows us completely because He is our Creator. We do not belong to ourselves as though nobody had the right to guide our lives.

The next morning Ava noticed a fallen leaf covering her bird. She moved it gently and thought about what Father had read. God did not need her to explain who she was before He could care about her.

Knowing our Creator helps us be thankful and willing to listen to Him. Ava could enjoy making a little painted stone. She could also remember that the One who made the whole world knew her name and had given her life.