Finding God in Every Stone

Nine-year-old Maximilian Clovis from Walsingham shares how discovering the hidden beauty inside ordinary stones helped him see God’s presence in all of creation.

This summer, my grandparents came to visit like they do every year. It’s always super exciting because they bring surprises for all of us – and I have eight brothers and sisters, so that’s a lot of surprises! This time, they gave me something really special – a gem and rock collection. I love rocks and stones and always ask my dad questions like, “What’s inside this one?” or “Why is this one so shiny?”

My dad saw how much I liked them and asked me if I wanted a lapidary machine. I didn’t know what that was, so I asked him. He said it’s a machine that cuts open stones and polishes them. I got so excited! I ran to get my money jar that I’d been saving and Dad said he’d pay half. Soon, we had a real machine with a diamond blade! Don’t worry – it’s not sharp, so I could use it safely.

When I started cutting open stones, I couldn’t believe what I saw. Some of the plainest, most boring-looking rocks had the most beautiful patterns and colours inside. It felt like God had hidden tiny treasures in them. I started thinking that maybe God put beauty in everything, even things that look ordinary. That made me want to find the most amazing stones God placed in Norfolk.

We’re not allowed to take stones from the beach, so Dad bought me a big bag of stones that came from near the Norfolk Sea. Every time I opened one, it was like a surprise from God – like a Kinder Egg but made of stone! Each one was different and special.

My biggest dream is to find the most valuable stone in England. It’s called Blue John. It looks normal on the outside but inside it has purple, blue and white crystals. I think it’s one of the most beautiful things God made. When I’m older, I’m thinking of being a geologist so I can discover all the beauty God created in forming our home – planet Earth.

Maximilian using his new lapidary machine.

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