No really, He did!

And He said “You are worth many diamonds. You are a flawless gem of mine. This is for you.”

Really?! Because that could not have come at a better time! I certainly wasn’t looking for diamonds on the street. I didn’t feel “flawless” or “worth it” or “pretty” in that moment.

This story took place in September. Hurricane Hermine came to Charleston and we were cooped up in the house for two or three days because of rain. Over the course of those few days, I was seething mad. I had been lacking in spending quality time with Father God. I was frustrated at a lot of things: myself, my messy house, David and I got into an argument, the kids were whiny and crying. It was the perfect storm–both inside and out.  I felt like Alexander from the book for kids: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. As soon as the storm cleared enough to go outside, I bolted. David yelled after me as I ran out the door, “where are you going?” (“”I’m moving to Australia…”, I thought.”)

I walk maybe 500 yards around the corner ,where our road crosses over a drain to the marsh and I hear a “clink” and realized I’ve stepped on something. “Great. Probably a nail or something…” Nope, not a nail, a diamond ring. The setting is bent and looks really dirty, but it’s a diamond ring. I stopped and looked around. No one was out and about. It almost felt like a trick. (“WHAT?!”) I thought about leaving it there, but then thought a better way to contact someone about it was through one of those “Mom Swap” Facebook groups. So I found my neighborhood’s page and inquired about a lost ring and wanting to return it to its owner. A few people came forward and described rings, but their descriptions unfortunately did not match this one. I held onto it for almost a month, waiting for someone to come forward, but the match never turned up. One day, I felt peace about selling it. That could not have come at a better time too!

I’ve never been to a jeweler before, “just to look”. There are some (ahem!) VERY pretty things at Loy Harn Jewelers, y’all. God directed me to go to this smaller, “mom-and-pop”, local jewelry store in town to sell it. Their staff was very attentive and professional and I appreciate the time they took with us (yes, us. I had the girls with me too). The owner, Jason Harn was great and he offered to buy the ring for the value of the diamond and the weight of the gold band that it was set in. The amazing thing, was that the check he wrote me, was just over the amount of money that we have spent (out of our own savings) to get David started in real estate! It’s repayment for his classes, new clothes, fees, and to simply live off of (until he sells a house, of course!) PRAISE GOD!! It has been such a financial miracle for us!

We are so thankful to the Lord that we can pay rent and our bills and we never go without the things we need, but it takes faith when you feel like there isn’t any “wiggle room” for extras. And this is a poverty mindset by the way; living “hand to mouth” with fear hanging over your head about “what if there won’t be enough for tomorrow?” “will it always be like this? work hard, pay bills, repeat…” This is not healthy for us, for anyone. Fear destroys living life at its fullest. Fear holds you back from dreaming and if you aren’t dreaming, you are dying.

I’m so excited to be able to tell you this story, now that David has “officially” changed jobs and is now working for Jeff Cook Real Estate. The month of September was truly a whirlwind of transition as David was working his daytime job (an average of 60 hours a week) on top of spending our savings to send him to night school for his real estate course (three nights a week).  We are “all-in” this new real estate adventure. David is going at it full-time, and we are all-in financially to get him there.

I wanted to share this story because God is teaching me that I’m worth far more than what I think I’m worth. He is teaching me that He can provide in all circumstances. Sometimes, when I’m looking for Him to use the people I think He will use to help us (and they don’t), or when my expectations and plans fall short and I’m out of options; He will literally let money (and diamonds) fall from Heaven and land at my feet. I can trust Him, even when I don’t trust myself. Wow, that is amazing!

So now, the testimony of diamonds appearing on the street has been released. So I invite you, friends, to look for God, when you aren’t looking for God at all. Start looking down as you walk, people. He can do the same for you! Or He can choose another limitless, creative, miraculous way, because He’s just awesome like that!