Capetown: Lessons from the Scratch Patch

It's pretty incredible how God can use random places/situations to remind us of His love.

We visited the Scratch Patch while the ship was docked in Capetown (actually, we visited it twice).  We heard a few people talk about visiting this place where you could "pick out rocks and it didn't cost much."  Sounded like a winner.

In the midst of watching the Cash Kids pick out just the right rocks and put them in their little zip lock bag (that was supposed to be able to close), God brought a few things to mind...here's an attempt at sharing them.

#1: At the Scratch Patch - and in God's Kingdom - castaways become treasures. 

The rocks at the Scratch Patch are "B grade" - not even sure what exactly that means in the world of rocks...but in talking with the lady that works there, she said that these are the rocks that can't be used in making jewelry.  For whatever reason, they were deemed "not good enough" or "invaluable" or "useless" -- yet, there they are...being picked out as TREASURES by our children (and by hundreds of others each week).  The very rocks that someone deemed "unacceptable" are sought after, picked out, rejoiced over.

Sounds alot like God and His love.

Sounds alot like what God does in and through Mercy Ships.

#2: "We have to be extra careful with the broken hearts - they have rough edges."

At some point in the search, Emma found a heart shaped rock.  She then proceeded to dump out all the other rocks she had collected and only put heart shaped rocks in her little bag.  She wanted only heart shaped rocks...and, because of her determination and ruthless pursuit, only heart shaped rocks made it home with us!  In the midst of the search, she found a heart shaped rock that was broken off and she said "We have to be extra careful with the broken hearts - they have rough edges."  Oh so true.

There are lots of broken hearts in our world right now.  Many of our friends' hearts are broken over their children (or lack there of), over their marriage (or lack there of), over disease and addiction, over their own terrible decisions or the terrible decisions of one they love.  Broken hearts are fragile...tender...and we desperately need them to be handled carefully.  It is good to know that our hearts are in good hands...our God is extra careful with broken hearts.  May we learn more and more about handling hearts carefully.

#3 It is important to look at the individual, not just the masses

To walk in and see the large number of rocks was really cool...but what was really incredible was to pick up one rock and study its beauty...and to pick up another rock and see its intricate designs.

Sometimes the masses can be overwhelming...but remembering that the mass is made up of individuals - individuals with a story, with a purpose, with their own unique value and beauty - can make all the difference.  It reminds me of Screening Days.  It reminds me of the Starfish Story.
 

So there ya go.  Lessons from the Scratch Patch.  1.70 Rand well spent.

Surely there will be more to come.