Gems

Pearls are naturally formed by oysters covering up harsh irritations like sand and other debris.

Diamonds are carbon that has been transformed through tremendous pressure and heat.

What is it that shapes children and their parents into something more beautiful?

Is it irritation? Pressure? Heat? All of the above?

Sometimes I wonder.

Children often bring forth their precious treasures to parents out of their little achievements: good grades, sporting victories, artistic musings, words and songs performed, and so many other things. Parents may find many of these things valuable, but sometimes we just as easily dismiss them.

Children often seek attention during both appropriate and inappropriate times: after bedtime and before morning, at the table during a meal, in the middle of someone else's conversation, climbing all over,  cuddling up next to, and in many other times. Parents may have time or attention to give, but we can just as easily acknowledge them during negative moments while ignoring many good ones.

Children aren't perfect. Neither are parents.

In the process, sometimes we need to relieve the pressure, turn down the heat, walk away from the irritation for some perspective: we are a part of God's creative work of making someone beautiful. Hopefully we remember that applies to both children and parents.

Today was a hot day mixed with several irritations and high pressure. I'm grateful that God gave us the night to rest before entering a new day of processing His precious gems in our lives.



"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is who you are."                                                                                                                                                                                                        1 Corinthians 3:11-17