Stones

For individuals: Take a deep breath in, hold it for a short time and gently release sending all the tension and pain with it. Give it to God. Five deep breaths is a good number but you may want to do more. 

Think about God being all around you and in you. 

Look at the stones in the photo.  Carefully look at each one. Imagine spontaneously picking one up.  Imagine how it feels as you trace its form. Feel the weight, texture and feel any patterns and shapes. 

 

Tell God why you chose that stone?  What attracted you to it?  What does that say about you?  What does it say about the choices you make in everyday life?  Ask God what He thinks.  What has He got to tell you about Himself or about you?  Record what was most important from this time with God in your journal. 

 

In a group

The best idea is to have a collection of stones numbering a few more than the number of people in the group.  Place them in a pile in the middle of a circle of people or in a basket.  They could be surrounding a lit candle. If you don’t have stones you can use this picture.

 

 Guide the group to take five slow breaths. Ask them to look carefully at the stones they can see.  Then, after a few minutes, ask them to choose a stone in silence. Instruct them to look at the stone and feel its texture and shape while they tell God about it. Remind them that they are talking to and listening to God.  Then say, ‘tell God why you chose that stone.  (pause) Is it the one you wanted to choose? If not what one did you want and why?  (pause) Ask God what this tells you about the way you choose things and people in your life. (pause)’  Ask if anyone wants to share anything special or interesting from their time with God.  You may need to share yourself first.  No judgemental comments because there is no right or wrong way to talk to God.  If the answer sounds odd ask them to explain further.

 

Repeat

This exercise can be repeated with a new basket of stones or with a basket of shell or a selection of objects either natural or man made such as a number of cups, flowers or toy animals.  Every time this is done it is to hear from God. 

  May 6 Today i looked at the stones in the picture and a different one stood out to me.  The redish one with circles.  I liked the comfort of the circles going round and round and felt the rawness of the red like my hurt inside. I feel sore inside today God.