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God’s timing was perfect!

Three weeks after moving into our new home, I received a phone call that abruptly ended my audit and accounting career of forty-plus years. But being laid off was an unexpected blessing, an open door to early retirement. Initially, the devastating news knocked me off my feet and sent me soaring in one whack. Like a rocket, I was shot out into the unknown of new adventures and new jewels.

A strange sight greeted me one day. A purple and white flower bloomed all alone on a small azalea bush outside my kitchen door. I stepped out to get a closer look. I had expected the bush’s bloom to have white petals with tiny, almost imperceptible splatters of purple. This bloom differed. Three fourths of the flower’s petals were solid purple, and it was shaped like a clock’s face set at 3 pm, the time of Jesus’ death. A stunning jewel and a unique reminder of the creativity of the perfect Master Gardener.

Rain was imminent. The early-morning sky over the lake was dark blue with fluffy, dismal layers of rain clouds hanging low. Another cold, dreary day ahead. Any sunrise in this mess would surely be ignored. Then suddenly, a wide, scattered swath of brilliant pink appeared. How could such a beautiful color emerge from something so drab? Only God. Another beautiful jewel.

Jewels are everywhere. They appear in unexpected compliments, refreshing phone calls, family memories, texts from friends, and kind words from strangers. Each one is a precious gift from our heavenly Father. May we never take any of them for granted.

Words are also jewels—tools that God uses to touch our hearts through our minds. They encourage us and others through us. Words are blessings, gifts from God, lavish pourings of His presence, and jewels from our Father’s hand.

I will thank God for all the jewels from His hand today. I hope you will too.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)