Remember when God talked to Moses from the burning bush? Moses got a little scared and said, “What if they don’t believe me?” God answered by asking a question, “What is in your hand?” Moses was carrying his staff. If you continue to read the story, you’ll see that God did miracles with that staff–snakes, parting the Red Sea and bringing water from rocks.
Staffs were a big deal in ancient times. Tradition says that staffs were not just tools for prodding sheep and helping people walk mile after mile, but that they were also story tellers. When something significant happened in a man’s life, he would mark his staff to remember it. The author of Hebrews even tells us that Jacob worshiped while leaning on his staff. And some people think it wasn’t just to hold him up because he was old–but he was leaning on and remembering the good things God had done in his life.
On Asa’s last visit to my parents house, they made him a walking stick. My dad found a strong stick in the woods, he cut off the prickly edges and smoothed it down. He drilled a hole in the top to make space for feathers, beads and other decorations. They even put a bright gold button on top.

When Asa came home from my parents house, he was carrying his stick. He had a proud and shy face on when he saw me. He and Grandmama told me the whole story of the stick. We looked at every bead and feather. When they came to the cross charm my mom said, “Asa, what does this cross remind us of?” Asa said, “Jesus?” Grandmama: “Who belongs to Jesus?” Asa: “Me”.




I pray when my son is old, he will lean on that staff–the story of his life and remember the miracles, blessings and adventure He had with the Great Shepherd.
Oh how little boys love sticks! My husband has one that he made and I think this will be the perfect idea for them next time they are in the woods. My little guy takes his dad stick and walks around with it. He will definitely need his own now.
Amanda, what a sweet story and an amazing gift for Asa to carry through his life!!!