Diamond in the Rough

Did you know that I am a diamond?  Most of the time I may not look like it, act like it, or shine like it, but I am nonetheless.  Most of the time I do not even know it or see it myself, but there are those...yes, those that do and that gives me hope. 

My friends often have to remind me of what I cannot see myself, they are true friends.  My husband says he believes in me even when I feel like I have failed him repeatedly.  My creator reminds me of the plans that He has for me and "sticks closer than a brother." 

Most of the time I feel like a dull, lifeless, lump of black carbon coal.  Not much to look at.  One that fades into the background.  One that is hardly noticeable to anyone....

But, there is one that sees me.  Truly sees me.  He sees past the black to the amazing brilliance that reflects all the colors of the rainbow when light hits me.  He sees the multifaceted edges and realizes that all He needs to do is to lovingly polish, turn up the heat in just the right amounts and at just the right times and the beauty of it's radiance will dazzle and sparkle all the way to heaven and back.  He takes the time to see the potential and get to work so that this little insignificant piece of carbon will be transformed into one who reflects all the brilliance of it's creator.

Do I trust this master craftsman to do only what is needful and no more?  It's not easy to trust when it hurts, when the heat is getting turned up and I lose sight of the goal.  It's not easy, but, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness, when you are weak, I am strong."  Wow!  I want to go all the way...all the way from a diamond in the rough to a gleaming gem that sparkles with the creator's purity and beauty!

So much of it is about trust...do I trust myself to reveal the authentic me?  Will they like me if they see all the different shades and nuances of me?  We are multi-faceted, just like a diamond that is cut to show the brilliance of what we are made of when the light reflects...sometimes I feel more like a chunk of carbon coal, not really brilliant at all, but, if someone takes the time to polish me off and see beyond the obvious and see the potential that I can become and loves me  to a greater level of brilliance, that is a true friend...I have one that "never leaves me or forsakes me" and He sees me in my weakness and fraility and says, "My power is made perfect through your weakness!"  I like the sounds of that...will I extend this gift to another?  In those I love, when they are exhibiting their weaknesses, their frailities, maybe even their blackness...will I see the diamond that they are...covered by the black dust of this earth and choose to love?  I cannot do this on my own, but I know someone who can through me...