My wedding band at the jeweler's, in a little box, was awaiting instruction from its owner regarding its future shape. Two prongs around the diamond had been warped...and the ring had to be melted down for repair. The jeweler said it was opportune time to redesign the setting. The ring had been left there for four months while I decided what I wanted to do with my precious treasure. I had to find a design before the jeweler could repair my ring.
And then I found myself crying and crying. I simply could not stop sniffling. The diamond in my wedding band was lost. My redesigned ring now contained a vacant setting, minus an ugly center prong in the middle. I just kept staring at that empty setting, with my terrible decision staring back at me: the center prong.
Mulitiple men at the jeweler's store had told me it was time to repair my ring and there was only one technique for repair. One man, which I have never met, insisted that he must drill a hole up from the center of the diamond and place it on a center prong. The other prongs would wrap around the diamond from the outside. I was unsure that I wanted to deface the precious stone that had been hand picked by my husband almost 16 years ago. I fretted and fretted and decided that I had no other choice but to do what I was told that I must do to get my ring back.
The ring had been finished and placed on my finger. I went about my merry way. During the day, I looked down to find that the diamond was lost. It had slipped out of the setting, and that ugly center prong was left there vacant. My diamond was lost forever.
You see, the ring was really not that precious to me in itself with comparison to the stone. I could go into great detail as to its design, but the center stone is what meant so much to me. It was the symbol of my worth. When my husband presented the ring to me, he explained that he sought out a diamond that was pure and spotless with a cut that displayed its brilliance. He said he loved me and saw me through the eyes of the Father. I knew that my quirky nature, past mistakes, and insecurities were not part of my ring. The diamond symbolized redemption. It was precious to me.
I hope no one is truly worried. Although my ring is at the jeweler's this very day. The diamond is still in it, though loosely for the prongs are damaged. The above description of events is but a dream that I had Sunday morning. When I awoke, I literally had tears in my eyes. The images stuck with me throughout the morning. Slowly, I realized the symbolism within it. I share it now for we all need to realize that we are precious diamonds, and our Father is knitting together an elaborate design to keep us safe on His finger and showcase our beauty. Who He is shines through us and paints a beautiful picture to lead others to Him.
In the dream, I had allowed 'man' to dictate the design that was to hold the diamond. That design of 'man' damaged the diamond and reduced its brilliance and beauty. While the men were determined about the right design, I knew in my heart that a setting must be made that was to hold the diamond delicately and display it in a way to allow the light to filter through. Each time I took a drive or washed the dishes, rainbows were to dance on the ceiling in response to my movement. The sadness in the dream had been created when I reflected that I had not done what I knew was right, but rather I submitted to other's wishes concerning what was precious to me.
Now is the time to KNOW what He has for us. There are so many ways to hear Him speaking or seeing what He has laid out before us. We cannot let man's desires or wishes be the center of our living.
I challenge you to dig deep today. What does He have for you? Close your eyes and imagine who you are as a a precious gem. Take a moment and do that. It brings a smile across my face to see His truth in my design. Then I can imagine the intricate setting He created for me in my destiny and purposes. He loves me and takes tender care with every millimeter of gold. The same is true for us all.
Will I allow the Master Jeweler to put me on display for all to see? Am I bent on bowing to the wishes of man? I have a choice.
I will choose beauty today. What will you choose? Look at the recesses of your heart and allow him to melt away all that is hard and brittle and broken. Today is your day to shine.
"...I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed. God's Decree: I'll turn things around for you..." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Monday, February 27, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Running Towards Remedies
Some people seem prone to frustration. Lately, the Lord has been dealing with me about finding practical remedies to solve life's little or big irritations. He has called us to joy and peace.
"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27 NLT)
This morning, I did not hear the alarm at all. I think I had a dream that David's phone was ringing. Needless to say, we overslept. While making a mad dash to gulp down breakfast and head out the door, one of our precious ones decided to have a meltdown because they did not like the breakfast selection. Both parents stayed focused and somewhat calm. Breathe, breathe, breathe. Although late to school, at least we had not been locked out. Yeah!
Breathing. I am still breathing...and so is my kitty. Yes, next the cat was found trapped in the garage door. He had been stuck there while I was in route to deliver the children. I did not know if his arm was severed or what damage might have been done to his body. After he was freed from his trap, he did his pain meow and dragged his front arm across the garage to hide under the wood box. The car was still running. I needed to grab the cat, gently and quickly. Breathe. Yes, breathe I did, deep and slow. I would have been no use driving, with a CO2 overdose and stars in my eyes.
The Vet Hospital told me to leave our big, sweet Swinkles. They would call me. I dashed home to get ready for the day. But before I could make it out the door, my main undergarment became useless. This was an emergency as well. My search for another seemed fruitless...until I found one that was too tight. I decided I had to make that one work for the day. Being terribly uncomfortable, I knew I must counter the feeling of torture with some sort of comfort: cozy socks and a fresh cup of coffee. Ahhhh.
Funny how I had talked to the children this very morning about being determined to make your day a good one. On the way to school, we talked about pushing past frustrations and not letting them rob your joy and peace. Wow, what a day for me to walk that out. I have only hit on the highlights of irritation. My hands and arms turned red and itchy after touching the cat. He had been in those despicable vines that my skin does not approve of. My nose was dripping, my house a mess, I was late to class...and so much more that I could mention that had been building from days prior.
They say stress causes weight gain and heart damage. I must stay calm. Although my remedies for the day may sound strange or silly, I was able to enjoy my day anyway. I even took some time to paint during my lunch break.
Now the sun has gone down, and my kids are in bed. I still have on the tight garment, but I have my cozy socks and a smile on my face. I will do laundry before bed. Today was a good day. Yes, it truly was. I am grateful for a friend who taught me to breathe, and I am blessed with a Father that gives me peace.
Please share some of your remedies for overcoming stress and discomfort. We could all use a few new ideas. Who knows when we will need them?
"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27 NLT)
This morning, I did not hear the alarm at all. I think I had a dream that David's phone was ringing. Needless to say, we overslept. While making a mad dash to gulp down breakfast and head out the door, one of our precious ones decided to have a meltdown because they did not like the breakfast selection. Both parents stayed focused and somewhat calm. Breathe, breathe, breathe. Although late to school, at least we had not been locked out. Yeah!
Breathing. I am still breathing...and so is my kitty. Yes, next the cat was found trapped in the garage door. He had been stuck there while I was in route to deliver the children. I did not know if his arm was severed or what damage might have been done to his body. After he was freed from his trap, he did his pain meow and dragged his front arm across the garage to hide under the wood box. The car was still running. I needed to grab the cat, gently and quickly. Breathe. Yes, breathe I did, deep and slow. I would have been no use driving, with a CO2 overdose and stars in my eyes.
The Vet Hospital told me to leave our big, sweet Swinkles. They would call me. I dashed home to get ready for the day. But before I could make it out the door, my main undergarment became useless. This was an emergency as well. My search for another seemed fruitless...until I found one that was too tight. I decided I had to make that one work for the day. Being terribly uncomfortable, I knew I must counter the feeling of torture with some sort of comfort: cozy socks and a fresh cup of coffee. Ahhhh.
Funny how I had talked to the children this very morning about being determined to make your day a good one. On the way to school, we talked about pushing past frustrations and not letting them rob your joy and peace. Wow, what a day for me to walk that out. I have only hit on the highlights of irritation. My hands and arms turned red and itchy after touching the cat. He had been in those despicable vines that my skin does not approve of. My nose was dripping, my house a mess, I was late to class...and so much more that I could mention that had been building from days prior.
They say stress causes weight gain and heart damage. I must stay calm. Although my remedies for the day may sound strange or silly, I was able to enjoy my day anyway. I even took some time to paint during my lunch break.
Now the sun has gone down, and my kids are in bed. I still have on the tight garment, but I have my cozy socks and a smile on my face. I will do laundry before bed. Today was a good day. Yes, it truly was. I am grateful for a friend who taught me to breathe, and I am blessed with a Father that gives me peace.
Please share some of your remedies for overcoming stress and discomfort. We could all use a few new ideas. Who knows when we will need them?
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
A New Perspective
Suddenly I was given a new perspective...
I was reading John 8:1-12. The climax of this section is the moment of potential stoning of the woman with accused sin. She had been found in the very act of adultery. Her body was to be taken in exchange for the pleasure she allowed herself. Then Christ bends down and begins to write in the sand. One by one her accusers walk away. Jesus brings to her attention that all those that have sought to stone her are gone and that he does not condemn her.
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12 KJV)
My eyes saw these verses in a new light. Christ was saying in verse twelve that His truth dissolves the accusers voices, even if they speak the truth of our shortcomings. It is time to silence the voices of accusation today. The "light of life" is for me just because I follow Him.
What stones MUST fall to the ground today on your behalf. His Word of sacrifice, truth and grace cancel them out for YOU. His Word is far more powerful than any stone held in the hand of the enemy or in our own hand over our heads. Be free today.
I was reading John 8:1-12. The climax of this section is the moment of potential stoning of the woman with accused sin. She had been found in the very act of adultery. Her body was to be taken in exchange for the pleasure she allowed herself. Then Christ bends down and begins to write in the sand. One by one her accusers walk away. Jesus brings to her attention that all those that have sought to stone her are gone and that he does not condemn her.
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12 KJV)
My eyes saw these verses in a new light. Christ was saying in verse twelve that His truth dissolves the accusers voices, even if they speak the truth of our shortcomings. It is time to silence the voices of accusation today. The "light of life" is for me just because I follow Him.
What stones MUST fall to the ground today on your behalf. His Word of sacrifice, truth and grace cancel them out for YOU. His Word is far more powerful than any stone held in the hand of the enemy or in our own hand over our heads. Be free today.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Defy Gravity
Remember the principle of the apple dropped. Gravity. Sometimes life is like gravity.
Today on the way to school, one of my children was facing something they didn't want to do. They felt stuck and angry.
Another child said, "Look in the sky! Wow!"
We looked out of the front glass of our van, and there was a jet with his smoke trail moving straight upwards into the sky. It was framed in front of us, as we headed down our driveway. As we turned toward the school, we discovered the picture of what looked like a flower blooming already painted with smoke across the horizon. I only have to travel 1.3 miles to school, but by the time I was turning back to go home. The same jet had already moved all the way across the sky and returned back to move upwards again in the same spot we had seen him when we left the house. I was stirred to remember that we can hold the hand of the Father and again and again move upwards toward freedom and the joy of His will.
Science has found ways to defy gravity. So much more the power of the Lord. Imagine what is possible when our will agrees with the will of the Father for the day. Gravity defied.
Today's example was encouraging to ALL of us on our morning ride. May it encourage you as well.
"He will bless the babies from your womb and the harvest of grain, new wine, and oil from your fields; he'll bless the calves from your herds and lambs from your flocks in the country he promised your ancestors that he'd give you. You'll be blessed beyond all other peoples: no sterility or barrenness in you or your animals. God will get rid of all sickness. And all the evil afflictions you experienced in Egypt he'll put not on you but on those who hate you." (Deuteronomy 7:13-15 MSG)
Today on the way to school, one of my children was facing something they didn't want to do. They felt stuck and angry.
Another child said, "Look in the sky! Wow!"
We looked out of the front glass of our van, and there was a jet with his smoke trail moving straight upwards into the sky. It was framed in front of us, as we headed down our driveway. As we turned toward the school, we discovered the picture of what looked like a flower blooming already painted with smoke across the horizon. I only have to travel 1.3 miles to school, but by the time I was turning back to go home. The same jet had already moved all the way across the sky and returned back to move upwards again in the same spot we had seen him when we left the house. I was stirred to remember that we can hold the hand of the Father and again and again move upwards toward freedom and the joy of His will.
Science has found ways to defy gravity. So much more the power of the Lord. Imagine what is possible when our will agrees with the will of the Father for the day. Gravity defied.
Today's example was encouraging to ALL of us on our morning ride. May it encourage you as well.
"He will bless the babies from your womb and the harvest of grain, new wine, and oil from your fields; he'll bless the calves from your herds and lambs from your flocks in the country he promised your ancestors that he'd give you. You'll be blessed beyond all other peoples: no sterility or barrenness in you or your animals. God will get rid of all sickness. And all the evil afflictions you experienced in Egypt he'll put not on you but on those who hate you." (Deuteronomy 7:13-15 MSG)
Jet stream in the sky
Moving upwards as the sun rises
Your will revealed
Joy unspeakable
Look up
God is able to free
Friday, February 3, 2012
Till the Soil: Deterring the Enemy's Tactics
"But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing..." - Galatians 4:18
I was looking at my messed up back yard today. You see, we adopted a dog that loves to dig and dig and dig. She became violent and went back to her previous owner this week. We have other younger dogs. I have been thinking of what could be done to fix our yard to be less of a hazard and also deter the other two dogs from digging, too.
Suddenly, I began to think of our soul, our minds, and our lives. How often does the enemy come at us over and over and over, making a mess of things...if we give in to his pressure and believe his lies. What if we allowed the Lord to start things over in our thinking? I was talking to my sister just this morning. There is an area of my personality that sometimes irritates me because I see it as an annoyance to others. She perceived my thoughts by a few things that I said. Truth began to pour out of her about the true reflection that others see in me. It was so very sweet...and spoke to my soul. As she began to speak forth truth, the Holy Spirit was tilling the soil of my very soul. All the barren places were being stirred up and turned over. My heart was being seeded with truth and fertilized to allow those seeds to flourish.
When we surrender those barren places to God, we are giving it to Him. We are allowing The Lord of all creation to do something with the mess. He is the master of the yard and can make something beautiful out of the mine field left behind by the enemy.
If you want to stop a dog stop digging, it is recommended that you put his scat in the hole he has just dug.
If I till fertilizer, seed, and you know what into my back yard, my little angelic dudes will get the idea that it is no longer their playground for destruction. The enemy cannot stand his lies thrown back into his face - our rejection is stench in his nostrils.
I will no longer accept the twisted reflection of who I am. Those lies cannot dig at my identity. May the work that is being done today be the beginning of something new and beautiful. I accept and delight in the truth from the one who created me.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" -Ephesians 1:3 (KJV)
I was looking at my messed up back yard today. You see, we adopted a dog that loves to dig and dig and dig. She became violent and went back to her previous owner this week. We have other younger dogs. I have been thinking of what could be done to fix our yard to be less of a hazard and also deter the other two dogs from digging, too.
Suddenly, I began to think of our soul, our minds, and our lives. How often does the enemy come at us over and over and over, making a mess of things...if we give in to his pressure and believe his lies. What if we allowed the Lord to start things over in our thinking? I was talking to my sister just this morning. There is an area of my personality that sometimes irritates me because I see it as an annoyance to others. She perceived my thoughts by a few things that I said. Truth began to pour out of her about the true reflection that others see in me. It was so very sweet...and spoke to my soul. As she began to speak forth truth, the Holy Spirit was tilling the soil of my very soul. All the barren places were being stirred up and turned over. My heart was being seeded with truth and fertilized to allow those seeds to flourish.
When we surrender those barren places to God, we are giving it to Him. We are allowing The Lord of all creation to do something with the mess. He is the master of the yard and can make something beautiful out of the mine field left behind by the enemy.
If you want to stop a dog stop digging, it is recommended that you put his scat in the hole he has just dug.
If I till fertilizer, seed, and you know what into my back yard, my little angelic dudes will get the idea that it is no longer their playground for destruction. The enemy cannot stand his lies thrown back into his face - our rejection is stench in his nostrils.
I will no longer accept the twisted reflection of who I am. Those lies cannot dig at my identity. May the work that is being done today be the beginning of something new and beautiful. I accept and delight in the truth from the one who created me.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" -Ephesians 1:3 (KJV)
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