Pebbles Aren't Just For Penguins

During the white elephant gift exchange at the BCC Kids Team Christmas Party, two custom throw pillows were brought as gifts. One of those pillows had my goofy face on it and the other had Peter’s. One of our BCC high school students claimed them. I had forgotten about them until recently when the winner of those pillows sent me a photo of me and my brother sitting together on a couch in our pillow forms. No explanation or text, just the photo. That small act of connection brought a smile to my face and genuinely made me laugh. It also made me aware of a current trend called “pebbling” which is derived from a practice of penguins giving rocks to each other as a form of affection. Odd, I know, but stick with me! In its current trending form, “pebbling” refers to little signs of care, affection, and friendship that are gifted to a friend or a loved one that you think they would enjoy. These little signs, or “pebbles”, often come in the form of memes, texts, videos, notes, or photos that are sent to someone to help brighten their day.

One of the things I cherish most about the community at BCC is seeing how people celebrate, encourage, and love one another. How people go out of their way to help brighten the day for others.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

1 John 4:7 says, “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.”

The students at BCC have embodied these verses for me this year as we have served, laughed, and worshiped together. These verses, lived out in our communities, Sunday services, camps, service projects, homes, and friendships, have pointed me towards a pursuit of Christ and his people that is marked by building up, encouragement, and love. This pursuit, this work, this directive, is one of joy and it is absolutely delightful that we are called to it by our loving God! May your week be filled with an abundance of pebbles that remind you of the good God we serve and the love that others have for you!

Peace,

Micah Holmes
Students Pastor