Several weeks ago, I went into the jewelry store to have my ring inspected and cleaned. I expected to to waltz in and waltz right back out with a gleaming diamond on my finger, but that's not quite the way it happened.
"How long have you had this ring?" the jeweler asked me while inspecting my ring with a concerned look on his face. "Well, I got engaged in 1997 and I've been married for 12 years now... so, about 13 years all total." He continued intensely staring at the ring and turning it every which way. Then he proceeded to show me how the prongs holding the diamond in place had loosened, and were extremely worn down."This really needs to be repaired," he said. "If you don't get your stone reset with new prongs, your diamond could potentially slip out."
That made me nervous. "I don't want that," I responded as he peered at me, awaiting my decision. Reluctantly, with a sigh, a slipped the ring off and handed it over to be shipped away for repairs.
My finger felt so naked, and time seemed to just creep along. Those weeks leading up to my pickup date (which was yesterday), felt like months! I didn't like the process of waiting, because I wanted my ring back right away. But then, when I picked it up last evening, I was so glad I sent it away to be fixed. Not only is my diamond secure now, but my 13-year-old ring looks brand new.
It was well worth the wait.
Sometimes, our life situations can feel a lot like the process of having my ring repaired, in that, we want whatever is broken to be fixed right away. We don't like that waiting period in between, because that space of time can feel like forever.
But, like it or not, repairs take time. I know we would like to see God perform an instantaneous miracle for us when we go through hard things, but, although He's able, the Lord doesn't always do things that way. There are seasons when He elects to gradually bring us out, in order to teach us valuable lessons, and build character in us.
Though we don't like it, the wait is good for us. It teaches us patience. "In your patience possess ye your souls" (Luke 21:19).
Today, if you're going through some hardships and you feel like you can't take it any longer, my message to you is, Wait! He's fixing it. I know how difficult it is to wait patiently on the Lord and stand firm, but when He's finished, you'll be so glad you waited. I admonish you to do what the word of God says and "...endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3). Know that the Lord is gonna work things out for you. Just wait on Him and don't give up.
As the song says, "Don't give up on God, 'cause He won't give up on you... He's able!"
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
www.empoweringeverydaywomen.com
