A number of years ago the most magnificent diamond in the history of the world was found in an African mine. It was then presented to the king of England to embellish his crown of state.
The king sent it to Amsterdam to be cut by an expert stone-
cutter. Can you imagine what he did with it?
He took this gem of priceless value and cut a notch in it.
Then he struck it one hard time with his hammer, and the
majestic jewel fell into his hand, broken in two.What reckless-
ness! What wastefulness! What criminal carelessness!
Actually, that is not the case at all. For you see, that one blow
with the hammer had been studied and planned for days, and even
weeks. Drawings and models had been made of the gem. Its qual-
ity, defects, and possible lines along which it would split had all
been studied to the smallest detail. And the man to whom it was
entrusted was one of the most skilled stonecutters in the world.
Now do you believe that blow was a mistake? No, it was the
capstone and the culmination of the stonecutter’s skill.When he
struck that blow,he did the one thing that would bring that gem
to its most perfect shape, radiance, and jeweled splendor. The blow
that seemed to be the ruin of the majestic precious stone was actu-
ally its perfect redemption, for from the halves were fashioned two
magnificent gems. Only the skilled eye of the expert stonecut-
ter could have seen the beauty of two diamonds hidden in the
rough, uncut stone as it came from the mine.
Sometimes, in the same way, God lets a stinging blow fall
on your life.You bleed, feeling the pain, and your soul cries out
in agony.At first you think the blow is an appalling mistake.
But it is not, for you are the most precious jewel in the world
to God. And He is the most skilled stonecutter in the universe.
Someday you are to be a jewel adorning the crown of the
King. As you lie in His hand now, He knows just how to deal
with you.Not one blow will be permitted to fall on your appre-
hensive soul except what the love of God allows. And you may
be assured that from the depths of the experience, you will see
untold blessings,and spiritual enrichment you have never before
imagined. J. H. M.
Marriage is a Covenant 
Streams in the Dessert is one of my favorite devotionals, because the daily entry’s constantly remind me that God does not exist for us, but that we exist for Him.
Dr. Larry Crabb, in his book Finding God states: We have become committed to relieving the pain behind our problems rather than using our pain to wrestle more passionately with the character and purpose of God. Feeling better has become more important than finding God….
A quote by Nancy Leigh DeMoss: “Part of the mystery of marriage is that you are ONE, not only in your joys, gains, and victories, but also in your humiliations, losses, and brokenness. Part of your lifelong unconditional commitment is to bear reproach with him (your husband). The consequences of his choices will deeply affect you as well, but in your willingness to share in his losses, you become a living illustration of the heart and spirit of Jesus, enabling Him to extend GRACE and healing through your wounded body. Yours is a high and holy calling. And in embracing and fulfilling it, you will experience a greater intimacy and oneness with the Savior than most will know this side of heaven.”
Embrace your calling….HE is worth it!
So very true, thank you.