“[The Lord will] bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes…for the display of His glory.”
(Isaiah 61:3, NIV)
I padded into Rachel’s room to return her missing hairbrush. Oh, the drama displayed by my ten-year-old when such items are missing. I keep telling Rachel “I’m a no drama mama” but she continues to test her acting skills on the family. As I laid down her hairbrush (the pink one with a mirror on one side, because how else are you supposed to know what your hair looks like?) I noticed her open jewelry box and something didn’t look right.
Over the summer Grandma Clark, gave Rachel a wooden flatware chest which would normally hold silverware. Rachel repurposed the large walnut box to hold her costume jewelry. Nestled among the plastic bracelets and BFF necklaces was a golden crown made of diamonds and rubies. Yes, something was certainly out of place.
“A crown of beauty instead of ashes.” (Isaiah 61:3)
I lifted the beautiful crown from its hovel and gazed upon its beauty. We won this pendant at a silent auction in 2010 benefitting our friend, Renee Bach and her Ugandan feeding program, Serving His Children. I recall my husband eyeing the piece and suggested we place a bid. “Diamonds are Rachel’s birthstone and rubies are yours, April we must bid” urged my beloved. To our surprise we won and gifted Rachel the responsibility of taking care of this precious piece of realjewelry.
I rubbed the piece, admiring the intricate detail and gemstones. I soaked the piece in cleaning solution and polished it to a shine. How could this piece of jewelry be keeping company with the cheap counterfeits from the tween stores at the mall? This deserved special care and attention. Furthermore, it should be worn not stored in a box. This was meant to be displayed.
“…for the display of His glory.” (Isaiah 61:3, NIV)
As I held the polished pendant I thought about how God rescued me, not only by salvation through Jesus Christ but also from a two year battle of depression.
I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40:1-3)
I searched through my own jewelry box and found a simple gold chain. I carefully slid the pendant over the clasp and looked in the mirror. “Thank you Lord, for trading my depression for joy and ashes for beauty. Amen.”
Each time I receive a comment on this necklace, I am able to share of God’s ransomed love and His desire to bestow on each of us a crown of beauty instead of ashes.
~Humbly,
April
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