Church Diamonds

Church Diamonds

Diamonds are among the most favorite of jewelry used to mark someone special. Their quality is assessed by the diamond’s carat, clarity, color, and cut. Even the cut is analyzed by three factors: by brightness (internal and external white light reflected from the diamond; by fire (the scattering of white light into all the colors of the rainbow; and by scintillation (the amount of sparkle a diamond produces). Sound complicated? I agree. The size of my bank balance limits how much I want to analyze them. Still I enjoy the beauty that bursts from that precious stone.

At a wedding a bride is given a diamond ring. Her suitor shows the bride is someone special, dazzling. What a compliment!

You are a beautiful diamond! Your neighbor next door is a diamond. The person you work with is also someone special. Can’t see it? You should. The master craftsman himself, God, crafted each of us. How can we not be seen as special, at least to Him? If we are a diamond in His eyes, how can each of his creations, (you and I) not look at each other as special? What a way to bring about peace on earth!

Okay, so I have slipped into a statement of faith. I’ve accepted the Biblical comparison; Christ is the groom and we his bride, His adored diamonds. Is that such an unacceptable puddle into which to fall? I’m overlooking reality you might think? You and I are not perfect, even far from it. True. Only Christ can make such a claim. The rest of us are a work in progress. Like diamonds molded by tremendous heat and pressure, we are being shaped by the heat of conflict and monetary, peer or psychological pressures.

What about the church, the corporate body whose primary reason for existence is to worship God and love others as they love themselves? “A diamond?” you ask. Many times its flaws are glaring. It’s brightness, its internal and external white light is difficult to detect. Its sparkle is lack luster. Could it be that forces internally and externally are still at work perfecting this body? Could it be that the church’s past failures blind people to the tiny internal white lights shining within?

Let’s see. The novel, Baggage burdens.,  reveals a few diamonds. Join me in admiring some protestant churches found in Oshawa.

The table creaks as Gramma Maxell leans on it to go to the stove to turn the burner off. Her walk to the stove is unsteady.

Jill wishes she had volunteered to get the kettle. She watches as Mrs. Maxwell picks up the teapot, drops a tea bag, pours in the hot water, and produces a teaspoon from the drawer to her left. The clock on the wall near the hallway entrance loudly proclaims each passing second. Shuffling slippers return to the table. “So, you still have no job.”

Jill nods. 

“And no place to sleep tonight.”

Jill nods again.

“Or the following night?” 

Jill looks down shaking her head. 

“I see.” 

Silence shouts at Jill. She realizes she asked to stay the night, but her stay could be longer. ‘She won’t accept me. She’s searching for an alternative place for me to sleep. Could Robin be home yet?’ 

“Jill.”

‘She’s going to turn me out now.’ Jill hears the tea pouring into the cups. 

“Jill.” Mrs. Maxwell waits until Jill looks at her. 

Tears blur Jill’s vision.

“I want to thank you for showing that you thought you could trust me. I’m sure this wasn’t easy.” She pauses for a few seconds. 

Jill wraps her hands around the teacup, absorbing its heat. 

“I have to tell you there isn’t very much I can do for you.” Mrs. Maxwell pauses.

‘Oh no, no.’ Jill can’t believe that she will be asked to leave when she finishes her tea. She shivers.

“If you don’t mind, I can bring you a pillow and a blanket and let you sleep in the parlor tonight. The couch isn’t very comfortable, but at least it’s warm.”

Jill smiles. As Mrs. Maxwell continues, Jill sips her tea.   

 “For a longer term solution I would like to refer you to Mrs. Robertson. She helps manage the Home-Away-From-Home project. Have you heard of that before?” Reading Jill’s furrowed brow, Mrs. Maxwell elaborates. “Protestant churches in the area fund a couple of houses to provide shelter, some food, and counseling for young people who have serious problems. I expect Mrs. Robertson will be in church later this morning. I’d like to talk to her about your situation. I know she’ll do everything she can for you. She’s done this kind of work for several years. Will you let me talk to her? See if she can help?”

Gramma Maxwell reflects a beautiful white light. She has no spare room in her boarding house for Jill, but she taps her only remaining resource, her parlor so Jill isn’t turned out into the night. Gramma Maxwell has acted as a counselor for other young people, but Jill’s situation is beyond her ability.  She turns to another colorful light in the church, Mrs. Robertson. The diamond’s white light reflects other rainbow colors, other people in the church, who use their talents to help young people. In the same way Mrs. Robertson looks others in her church and neighboring churches to care for young people in Oshawa.

It would seem God has sparkling gems in Oshawa. Together they display their love for others. Do you agree?

haiku capsule:        

             needy teenager        

                               too much for one to handle     

                               church to the rescue

Next blog: A Challenging Church Diamond