SMOOTH STONES By Sally I. Kennedy

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as
crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Revelation 22:1

One of the earliest sunday school stories I recall hearing is the one
about David and Goliath. David, shepherd boy, who comes up against
the gigantic warrior, Goliath. And with just a slingshot and a few
little stones.

What a hero! He zaps the enemy in one fell blow, straight to the
head. Here's the story, from the Bible (17th chapter of 1st Samuel):

Then he took his (shepherd's) staff in his hand, chose five smooth
stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag
and, with his sling in his hand...David said to the Philistine(giant),
"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come
against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of
Israel, whom you have defied. ..This day the LORD will hand you over
to me, and I'll strike you down ... All those gathered here will know
that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle
is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." ..Reaching
into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the
Philistine on the forehead. So David triumphed ...without a sword in
his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

The stones David selected were smooth. Not big, heavy boulders. Small
stones that had been continually washed by the river waters. They were
more fit for use against the enemy than rougher, larger, more rugged
stones.

David knew. He had spent a lot of time outdoors, by himself, taking
care of the flocks of sheep for his father. And he'd had plenty of
time to practice with his slingshot. He knew how to do it.

In our journeys, as we are constantly washed by the waters of life, we
too become more smooth. More fit to be used. As I was thinking of
this, I coudn't help but think that it would be good for me to quit
struggling so often, and just go with the flow. Smooth stones are
just fine, especially when they're part of God's master plan.