Caves and Gemstones

Deborah Lewis
I had a dream. I was scuba diving. It was a beautiful, brilliant day. The water was crystal clear. My heart leapt as I approached the coral reef and all the dazzling creatures came into focus. Exotic fish colored brilliantly darted this way and that at my approach. Observing such beauty caused me to have to catch my breath for a moment. I tried pointlessly to corral one fish in my hand. I laughed at his escape. I was captivated, truly content at being surrounded by such wonderment. but I felt a current and a compulsion to drift into a nearby cave.
I protested. I intentionally redirected my attention back to all the wonderment. Alas, I was drawn into the cave: foreboding, lonely, dark. Pulled in… deep. Lost. I was disoriented. The whole of my senses could make out only three things: rocks, walls and darkness. I couldn’t find the way out.
I settled in. Stopped struggling. Concentrated on my breathing. Once adjusted and still, I noted something else as I stared at the walls…first a glimmer, then little specks, sparkles and reflections….blues and greens, reds, whites. Gems! Gemstones were hidden in the cave. Priceless, rare and waiting in the abyss. Formed by heat and pressure, now revealed as I rested in the deep.
If I cast more than a glance in any direction at students, friends, acquaintance or the world at large, I notice devastating circumstances. It is my sincere prayer that God would give us hearts to endure, eyes that can see past the pain and see as He sees: in the Secret Place, He is producing in our trials priceless, indestructible treasures.
That is why I launched http://www.brokenbutbeautiful.org.  I hope to share with you the inspiration I have found in the craziest places.  Places of devastation transformed into places of “higher education” and hope.  These are snippets of my  life that I hope to be an encouragement to many!

 
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Published by Deborah Lewis

Don't ever give in. Don't ever quit. Don't ever surrender. What gives me the right to say that? Mountains of impossibility that I have walked through: 6 1/2 years of infertility, an adoption that did not go through, two seasons of helping raise other people's children, a miscarriage, paid back every cent of 85K of debt, crisis pregnancy, raising a special needs daughter, the death of that daughter, divorce etc... With every challenge came real wounds, but something else in juxtaposition to the scars: wisdom, and treasure. Real riches found on very broken paths. Some of my closest friends have caught my tears big, wet, snotting up, warm tears, but they have also "seen" the gifts acquired along the way. They have experienced hope in hopeless situations. They have gleaned tenacity in unbearable circumstance. And to be VERY CLEAR this is not because I am strong, very much the opposite. I KNOW how weak I am. Don't give up. Don't give in. Don't surrender. "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You." 2Chron 20:12. My mom would say, "Shoulders back, chest out!" I would add to that, fix your eyes on the only One who declares, "You are more that a conqueror!"

1 Comment

  1. As a baby believer, I would drive crazy distances to be able to attend Bible study in your home and soak up God’s Word. Then, as now, I admire and embrace you as a beloved sister. Our paths haven’t crossed in many years, but I continue to learn and grow because of your witness. Thank you for continuing to share your faith and teach great truths!

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