Precious Jewels

by Macy Johnson

“He carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high,

and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, 

coming down out of heaven from God. 

It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that

of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.”

(Revelation 21:10-11 NIV)

Words are jewels, tools that God uses to touch our hearts through our minds. They encourage us and others through us. Words are blessings, gifts from God, a lavish pouring of His presence, jewels from our Father’s hand.

God’s timing was perfect! Three weeks after moving into our new home, I received a phone call that abruptly ended my audit/accounting career of forty-plus years. Being laid off was an unexpected blessing, an open door to early retirement. The devastating news knocked me off my feet and sent me soaring in one whack. Like a rocket, I was shot out into the unknown - new adventures, new jewels ahead!

What a strange sight! A purple and white flower blooming all alone on a small azalea bush outside my kitchen door. I stepped out to get a closer look. The bush’s expected bloom was white petals with tiny, almost imperceptible splatters of purple. This was definitely different - 3/4 of the flower’s petals were solid purple! A clock’s face set at 3:00 (the time of Jesus’ death). A stunning jewel, a unique reminder of the creativity the perfect Master Gardener.

Rain was imminent. The early-morning sky over the lake was dark blue with fluffy, dismal layers of rain clouds hanging low. Another cold, dreary day ahead. Any sunrise in this mess would surely be ignored. Then suddenly there appeared a wide, scattered swath of brilliant pink! How could such a beautiful color emerge from something so drab? Only God. Another beautiful jewel.

Jewels are everywhere. They appear in unexpected compliments, refreshing phone calls, family memories, texts from friends, and kind words from strangers. Each one is a precious gift from our heavenly Father. May we never take any of them for granted.

I will thank God for all the jewels from His hand today. I hope you will, too!