This week’s episode deals with themes of betrayal, guilt, and healing.
Episode Summary
In the season finale of These Stones, McKenna is stunned when a very special Courier, Miriam herself, is appointed to help her instead. Before McKenna can move forward with her life, she must confront the role she played in her mother’s tragic death.
We pick up right where the previous episode left off, following McKenna’s intense verbal clash with her father. Feeling down, she receives a text from Central Dispatch. Tempted to ignore it and quit the Program, she ultimately reports for duty.
As the episode unfolds, we learn that McKenna is still haunted by guilt over her mother’s death. She believes she is unworthy of moving on, trapped by the weight of her past. To help her navigate these dark feelings, Miriam shares her own story from the Bible. She shares that, unlike Mckenna, she “deserved” her punishment — having doubted her brother Moses and defied God’s plan. As a consequence, Miriam was struck with leprosy, a physical manifestation of her internal struggle.
Ironically, it was Moses—the very person Miriam betrayed — who came to her rescue, pleading with God to save her live. However, it was not until she underwent a necessary period of reflection, that she was allowed to join her brother and the rest of the Israelites to continue their journey. No one could truly move forward until Miriam her heart was healed — a lesson McKenna desperately needs to learn. Miriam advises that the only way to heal such a deep wound is to dig deep, understand its cause, and cleanse it, just as she did. This process involves confronting the memories of her mother’s final moments.
Humble Pie à la These Stones
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” – Ephesians 4:32
Both McKenna and her father feel a heavy burden of responsibility for Eliana’s death, creating a rift between them that hampers communication. Instead of offering each other emotional support, they end up lashing out in frustration and hurt. Concerned for her safety and struggling to trust that God would guide McKenna into a dangerous situation, her father sabotages her involvement in the program by hiding her mother’s Bibles. Similarly, Miriam questioned God’s wisdom in choosing Moses as a leader and gossiped about Moses.
Responding to conflict in a Spirit-led manner doesn’t come naturally, but it is the “secret sauce” for renewing relationships. It requires a conscious effort to speak with the Spirit’s guidance and a willingness to humble ourselves. Speaking words of love and kindness can truly heal rifts and lead to miraculous reconciliation.
Nibble on some humble pie with Miriam. Have you ever let jealousy tempt you to gossip or back-bite against a spiritual brother, sister, or authority figure?
If you’re curious to discover even more insights and discussion prompts related to These Stones, check out the show’s official devotional book available to purchase on Amazon. Written by the show’s creators, Susan Rohrer & Cheryl McKay, this handbook will provide real-life applications and deeper explore themes presented in the series.
Zoie Taylor is the Streaming Coordinator for UP Faith & Family. She loves all things TV & Film. Her top 3 titles on UPFF are Heartland, Wildfire, and The Engagement Plot. Her favorite Heartland characters are Lisa and Jessica.
