"More Beautiful Than Diamonds"

This post, and everything in it, is dedicated with humble gratitude to a few people who are indeed "More Beautiful than Diamonds." To Jesus- I want to be like you when I grow up, and when I fall down. You love me more than I could ever love you, and that's a lot.

Kathleen, remember whose you are, and who you're shining for, when you bring it home, and when you get three strikes...I hope above all else that you want to be like HIM when you grow up, too.
He loves you more than I ever could, and that's a lot.

Shiloh, May no one ever take from you the things that you no doubt deserve... May you yearn for HIM even now, He loves you more than I ever could...and that's a lot.

To the people, you know who you are, who have loved me close and fervently, because I am His, and because you have chosen to make me yours.
You ARE more beautiful than diamonds, and I am grateful for you. I love you so much, but He loves you more, and...yeah, you know... :)


Today in Civil Procedure, we began the class with a song I learned as a very young child, it's called "More Precious than Silver." It's one of the simplest lyrics I've ever learned, but it continually shakes me every time I hear it. "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."

The song reminded me of a story I wanted to share with you, a story about gifts, and what is truly important. I was young, probably middle school, when the Lord began really using my love for those even younger than me. I started tutoring the younger children at school at the end of the day, and as high school came, tutoring turned to mentoring. My first mentoring experience was 3 eighth grade girls when I was in high school, and I've been working with young teens ever since.
Today, I was reminded of one such teenager, perhaps because I could relate to her, and as I was thanking the Lord for my life today, He brought her to mind.
Because I'd rather keep her name to myself, I'll call her Amy, as it means "beloved."
I met this little girl when I was asked to speak to her youth group, 65ish young people in a small Texas town where oil-field father's were prevalent. The youth pastor told me that about 75% or more of these children came from broken homes, and I went before them with a lump in my throat, petitioning the Lord to use me as a 20 year old with a desire to change lives.
As is my custom, I took the youth group back to Bible times, but I did so by telling them to open their hearts and close their Bibles. Then, I presented them with background, and I retold stories, complete with references, changes in character, and a few jokes. I remember my message, but I won't recount it here for the sake of time (I'll save it for Kathleen and Shiloh) :)
At the end, I told them all "If you have never had anyone in your life who has loved you like Jesus, come see me, because I want to love you."
After the service, I found myself surrounded by about 10 of the girls. The first in line was a BEAUTIFUL girl with a Latin flare. She asked for my number and I said "You have to tell me your name first." :) She introduced herself by saying as follows: "My name is Amy, I'm 13, and I'm adopted." I dove for my breath...this child had once been an orphan.
Amy's life was difficult, in fact, I don't even know some of the details for sure, I know that the mother who adopted her died, and so she was now with her father, and 6 other children, in a house in small town Texas. She told me everything, but none of it made sense, and as I was both a psychology major learning of the effects of childhood trauma on children, AND a lover of orphans, Amy's story led me to cringe and pray, tremble and weep. Amy made me want to move mountains, I wanted a better life for her.
One of the last interactions I had with her changed my life forever...
It was the end of the school year, and as Amy was a 7th grader in Texas, one of her finals was in Texas History (REMEMBER THE ALAMO! ) :) She was afraid, so I promised her I'd help facilitate a study session.
I went to Office Depot (one of my favorite stores in the world for the paper and pens GALORE!) and bought index cards, a box for them, and stickers shaped like stars.
Then, I talked to someone from the church, they assured me we could get in. After school one day, my dear friend Tasha and I traveled to the church to meet Amy, and the doors were locked.
So...plan B, right? We sat on the steps in front of the church, opened our index cards and devised a plan of attack. Amy had a study guide she'd created from a list of questions her teacher had given her, we took it, and for each question we made a flash card, questions on front, answers on back. Tasha and I took turns asking Amy the questions. When we got to one she didn't know, we took out a sticker and adhered it to that card, thereby developing a distinction between what needed to be studied, and what was already known. We went through 80 of 100 questions before the sun began to drop, and I asked Amy if she was hungry. Since we were on the steps outside with no electric light, we had to call it a night, so we took Amy to subway where she asked me if she could get jalapenos on her sandwich. I said "You like jalapenos?!" She replied "They are amazing." I said "Get whatever you want." When we returned, we had just enough time to gather our things and prepare to go when Amy's father pulled up. He said in a thick German accent "Thank you for tutoring her." I responded with a hearty "No problem sir, she's more than worth it." I kissed her head and released her to her father, not knowing exactly what that meant for her, but knowing I loved her, and knowing I would do whatever I could to show it.
She smiled widely and told me she'd let me know how it went...she reminded me that she had a chance to get a 110% because she'd earned the 10 point bonus for doing something extra the teacher had requested on the study guide.
Two weeks later I got one of the most wonderful phone calls I've ever received. It was Amy, and this is what she told me: "I'm so sorry I haven't called sooner, my phone was broken, but I wanted you to know that I am so grateful you studied with me, I got a 107, the highest score in the 7th grade class." I was so proud of her I cried, and this is what I told her: "Listen, Amy, I didn't do anything, you already had all of that in you, all I did was help you find it, every one of us needs people who help us encounter what God has already placed in us to do, and my job is simply to guide you as you seek." She thanked me about 10 times more, and then I told her I loved her and we hung up.
My encounter made me realize something very clearly: Love which is pure knows NO BOUNDS. While Amy, Tash, and I were studying, NONE of us really noticed that we were sitting on cold concrete outside of a building, and none of us cared. Our only objective, Tash and I anyway, was loving Amy, and letting her know that HE LOVED HER.
My encouragement is this: DO NOT EVER put a limit on what God can do through your love...just love and be amazed. I promise, loving like Jesus NEVER goes unrewarded. NEVER.
You will find yourself filled to the brim with treasure more beautiful than diamonds if you make a life out of loving His beloved.

YOU ARE LOVED, and YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!

And for my princesses, Kat and Shi, I am glad He has seen fit to show me a bit more clearly how His heart beats by allowing me to love you... You make me want this world to change... I love you!

Shine like Stars...
Phil 2:14-15
Courtney