The Value of a Diamond

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’”

Luke 15:8-9

Devotion:

I brush damp, limp hair off my face with the back of my hand as I turn and glance at the clock. The mahogany table gleams as the sun filters through clear windows. A broad smile brightens my face as I survey the spotless carpet.

I swung around towards the kitchen. Something caught my hand. When I glanced down, I realized I caught my ring on my bulky sweater. After freeing my ring finger, I discovered the prongs of my ring caught on my sweater because the sparkling diamond had fallen out of its setting. It was gone.

I fell on my hands and knees and ran my hands over the plush carpet while my eyes scanned the area. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I ripped open the vacuum cleaner bag and my fingers sifted through the dust. But didn’t find the diamond.

This became my routine every time I cleaned the house. Each time I tore the bag open to search every particle of dirt, I hoped to find the precious stone that I’d lost.

One day, my daughter skipped across the room and said. “Mom, I found your diamond.” She tugged on my hand as she pulled me towards her bedroom. I followed while I grinned at her optimism. She sat down at her antique school desk and lifted the heavy wooden top.

“Look way in the back.”

I lowered my head and peered into the dark recess towards the back corner where a small shiny object lay in a crack between two old boards. I reached inside and pulled out the beautifully many-faceted diamond while my little girl jumped up and down, laughing.

We both rushed towards the door as her dad opened it later.

“Guess what we found?” We asked in unison. Then our family celebrated together with great joy.

Jesus clarified many principles with parables. This story was about a woman who lost a silver coin. She searched until she found it, then she celebrated with her friends. His story illustrated how persistently Jesus pursues us because He desires that all receive forgiveness. He rejoices in heaven with the angels every time a sinner repents. Prayer:

We are thankful that you gave us a glimpse of how important we are to you. Almighty God values humans above all other creatures. We rejoice knowing that our Creator loves us. Give us a heart that loves others as you love us.

Your Turn: In what way does the knowledge of God’s love for you affect you?