ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 ESV

One year, my husband gave me a rock for my birthday. My first inclination was to think of Charlie Brown on Halloween, as he went trick or treating with his friends. Everyone collected their treats, but poor old Charlie would receive a rock from each place. Then I looked closely at the rock I had been given. It was carefully engraved in ink with a portion of Proverbs 31:10-31. I have had this sitting on a windowsill in my kitchen for many years. I treasure it now, because it is such a reminder of how special this man was. The rock reminds me that God has remained my rock throughout my marriage.

The years and the sun have taken their toll on this precious gift. Many of the letters have faded, but the memory lingers. Paul knew the strength of God. It helped him to survive so much in life. He knew the power that God displayed in what seemed to be impossible circumstances. He loved the Lord first, and all the rest was added to him.

Several years had gone by since that gift was given. I since discovered that Paul always carried a rock in his pocket to keep reminding of God’s majesty, His Power and strength. In fact, he gave the one he carried to a young man who was going to be deployed soon and away from his family. Paul told the man that God had always been his rock and fortress, so he asked him to carry it. The man returned home and gave the rock back to Paul along with a gift of his own. Along with a remembrance, the best thing Paul recalled that the true power of God’s protection came from God, the Rock of his salvation.

As we went through Paul’s many collections, we found many of these rocks. His art displayed the majesty of God’s creation. His work with young people gave him an opportunity to share his love for God. His adventures across the country gave him a chance to talk about Jesus. His zeal for the Word of God was a rock for so many individuals that he touched in his life. He taught me how to rely on God to get me on the right track. I would give a million rocks to hold his hand again – to let him know what he meant to me – to lean on – to love, but I know that day will come when I join him in paradise.