A Precious Gift

The Necklace

Several years ago on Valentine’s Day, a little third grade boy gave his mother’s diamond necklace to a little girl on whom he had a crush. (The necklace was actually a family heirloom as the mother’s grandmother had given it to her.) The little girl opened it, brought it home, and hid it in a drawer having no way to comprehend the extravagant gift. A short time later, the little boy’s mother missed the necklace and inquired of it. Of course, the little girl returned it. Years went by, and both the boy and girl and their love grew. Then one day, the young man asked the young woman to marry him. She said yes.

A few months later, this young woman opened a birthday gift from her future mother-in-law. Inside the box, once again, lay the beautiful diamond necklace. This time, the young woman understood its value and the act of love the gift demonstrated.

This sweet story was unveiled to those of us attending the young woman and man’s wedding reception. My niece, Baylee, and Aaron were married on April 21, 2012.

It made me realize that there’s a little bit of “young Baylee and Aaron” in all of us. Many times in life, we don’t appreciate the value of love, relationships, blessings, health, or education until we’re older. As I reach the half-century mark, the value of health has come to the forefront. I certainly took it for granted while in my younger years.

But the most precious gift of all – God’s loving grace through His Son – is perhaps the one I undervalued the most at a young age. There was no way I could fully understand the value of His gift. I came with child-like faith and accepted Christ into my heart. But it wasn’t until I grew older and saw my daily need for a Savior (I miss the mark every single day), that I appreciated the value of His gift. And the day I stand before God in Christ-confidence, will be the day I FULLY appreciate and know how precious it is.

I can’t help but end with the words to this song, simply because I’ve been humming it in my mind the whole time I’ve typed these words.

Lord, You are more precious than silver;
Lord, You are more costly than gold;
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds;
And nothing I desire compares with You.

By Lynn DeShazo

Aaron and Baylee on their wedding day, April 21, 2012

Congratulations, Aaron and Baylee!!

And thank you for letting me use your story!