Diamonds are not forever..

Diamonds are not forever


On September 2nd, 2009 Gregory Randall escorted his true love, Linda Messerman, down a narrow, white, wooden pier in San Simeon, California. The old boards creaked under their feet as they strolled hand in hand. With the Pacific Ocean stretched out before them, they breathed in the sea air at the end of the picturesque pier. Gently turning Linda towards him, Gregory stoops to one knee and opens a small box.

The 1.2 karat diamond glistened in the afternoon sun. He gentle plucks the custom made, white gold ring from its nesting place and proceeds to propose to Linda. She holds her breath and listen to his loving words and then answers, Yes. Maybe it was nerves or the excitement in that moment, but Gregory’s fingers lost all memory of the precious ring that they held. Stumbling to regain the grasp, the tiny ring bounced and fell through the splintered slats of the pier and into the sea below. The clear diamond still glistened as it entered the water, until the murky green engulfed it 20 feet below. It was gone in an instant.

After reading about such a disappointing event two groups can quickly emerge; those that would quickly say that it would never happen to them. And those that are more prone to say, yes I could totally see that happening to me! I am personally more of the later group. Regardless, the question lies exposed to all, What do we do when things do not go as planned? When ideal dreams slip away or good ideas sink into the murky depths. What do you do? How do you react to the feeling of the delete button being pushed on a gift, or that all your time and energy towards a goal is erased? How do you cope?

The story goes on to say, after a noble attempt by the local Sherriff’s underwater rescue team armed with an underwater detector, the ring was officially declared lost at sea. Despite of the consequences, I believe that Gregory Randall realized that he gained more than he had lost. His lovely Linda had answered yes. The ring was only a token, a gift. The real value laid in Linda’s acceptance, in their love relationship. With that in mind, Gregory surmised to look on the bright side. “Maybe a fish ate it and a fisherman will catch the fish and find the ring. Maybe the fisherman will be down on his luck and it will help him.”

Gregory could let go of his ‘ideal proposal.’ He could move on because his priorities were right, not that the ring was not special, but it was not what held their relationship together. We too can let go. When our castles of sand wash away, we can know that it is ok, because the Creator of the universe loves us. Our relationship with Him, is more important than our plans or gifts. That we would continually allow things, whatever they may be, that glistens or distracts us, to dim in the light of our Lord. Under His direction and His love, we can move on, possibly even leave it to someone else as a blessing. May we pursue our eternal loving relationship with our Lord and never allow the temporal to eclipse that pursuit. John 17:3 “And this is eternal life. That they may know You, the only true God”