Diamonds in the Rough

Sometimes I look at my diamond ring. It has been on my hand for 39 years now, but still has the same shimmer and shine it did when new. That started as a piece of dirty, rough rock. The chiseling and careful cutting has shaped it into a beautiful, brilliantly shining stone. Lately I feel like my life and those around me are in the middle of that rough stage when all the cutting and chiseling is being done. I don't feel like a child of the King, I don't feel special. Just worn down and tired from being carved. That doesn't make me any less His child. But He has promised that we are accepted in the Beloved, children of the King, heirs with Christ in heavenly places. I have to accept that at God's word. I don't know why He has allowed all the turmoil to go on in our family. I thought we were following Him the best we knew how, but I guess He has other plans we can't see. I struggle so frequently with doing what I know that the Lord has for me. The path is not plain, not clear, not lit and I am stumbling through the weeds of self doubt and discouragement. The little rocks feel like boulders. But I know if I did not have the smallest grain of faith, I would have long ago been in despair, with no hope at all. Every time I think I need to be at the end of my chiseling process: I can't take any more. I am waiting to experience the results of being refined and polished, I feel the Hand of God lifting me through the prayers of my loved ones. Saying, I am not finished yet, be still, be patient. Trust Me. I thank God for allowing me to see this. We ate popcorn today, as a snack. It was fresh and warm and tasted good. We all took in the smell and our senses were teased. It has been a hard week. But God has given us a
sense of His presence. It warms the heart and soul much more than the popcorn. I am grateful that His promises never fail, even when we are faithless.