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Stepping Stones

by Dr Jean Carter

 
The walking track around Lake Parramatta is one of my favourite places to go with my two dogs. The bush track circles the lake and crosses over the feeder creek in two places. The first time I walked the track I laughed out loud at the size of the stepping stones across the tiny trickle of water that feeds into the lake. The stones stood like multi-story towers in a sea of suburban houses. They were so high from the water that you could possibly be affected by vertigo when crossing! Despite my laughter, I was always pleased the stepping stones were there as it was much nicer to keep walking with dry shoes whereas the dogs loved splashing through the cool water and muddy pools.

Last week my amusement towards the stepping stones changed dramatically. We had had constant rain for three days and I was looking forward to walking the track around the lake once again. It was still a little damp on the track but the sun was shining and the day was glorious. We had just finished scampering down the stairs that lead to the first crossing, turned the corner, and instead of my gurgling, friendly creek there was a raging, swirling angry river. The dogs stopped in their tracks, turned and raced back to my side. The three of us just stood and stared. At that time, I noticed that those "vast and trunkless legs of stone" (Shelley, P. Ozymandias) that I use to joking call the stepping stones, were now just centimetres above the waterline and my lifeline to the other side. As I picked up the dogs and ferried them one at a time across the raging torrent, I was thanking God that the stepping stones were so solid and sturdy and tall.

Thinking about my encounter with these stepping stones, I was reminded of a poem by R. Lee Sharpe:

Princes & Kings
Isn't it strange how princes and kings,
and clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
and common people, like you and me,
are builders for eternity?
Each is given a list of rules;
a shapeless mass; a bag of tools.
And each must fashion, ere life is flown,
A stumbling block, or a Stepping-Stone.

The bible tells us "Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother". (Romans 14:13 ESV)

We need to treasure people in our lives who are like stepping stones. Those who are always there to help and support through the good times and the bad. Their friendship never becomes a stumbling block. These people are like rare jewels, hard to find and need to be treasured.

Let us all choose to be stepping stones to those around us.

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