The Diamond Was Lost Forever

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)