If life is a “Crystal Egg”, what do you do when it drops, hits the floor and breaks into a million pieces?  What is this “Crystal Egg” called life God

gave us anyway and what does it lead to?...

Winter time is here…so grab a mug of your favorite hot drink, take some time for yourself & God J

The Crystal Egg - Unmerited Grace

When I was a child, my Father gave me a crystal egg, a very beautiful crystal egg.  It was so beautiful that, when I first laid eyes on it, everything in the busy world stopped for one, wonderful moment. Upon careful examination, I noticed the intricate pieces which had been carefully put together.  I studied it again and again and still found new patterns that would bring out beauty for years to come. 

My Father told me, “This crystal egg is priceless.  It can never be replaced.  I made it special for

you when you were still in your Mother’s belly.  I wanted to show you that I loved you before

you were even born.  On the surface, it is very simple, an egg.  However, as I can see, you are

coming to appreciate how delicate and intricate a simple thing can be.”

In that moment, I felt utterly loved.  How my Father loves me!  I am always safe and happy in

his care.  If bad things happen in my life, I just think of his face, call his name, or talk to him in

his study.  His tender care is more than I could ever deserve.  “Thank you, Daddy,” was all I

could think to say.  I hugged him and he kissed the top of my head.

He told me, “Care for this egg because it has a very important purpose.  Later

I will explain to you the purpose of this egg but, for now, just listen to me and take care of the egg.  You will need to keep it inside, away from robbers.  You will need to keep it safe from vandals.  Most of all, you will need to keep it safe from you.  No matter how desperate your situation is, don’t sell it for money, belongings or anything in the world. For, if you are in trouble, you know you only need call out to me.  No matter what happens, it is your responsibility to bear.  Put it in a safe place where it cannot be broken.”

“Oh, I will, Father, I will!” I exclaimed.  I really meant it.  I loved his beautiful gift and, most of all, I felt loved and safe. My Father hugged me and said only that he loved me, and he reminded me to come to him for help.

My Father left my room, and I looked around for a safe place to put my egg.  I decided to put it.  in a special place where it could not be broken -- in a cabinet.  I locked the cabinet so that no one could steal or ruin my egg.  Once a day I would get it out and look at it.  It would remind me of the special day on which my Father gave it to me.  I would receive that feeling of warmth, love and care all over again.  The world and my troubles would go away.  When I was finished,  I would carefully put it back in its place and lock it away.  I would rest easy at night, just knowing that it was there.

Years later, I got out the crystal egg as I had done through the years, but I didn’t get it out quite everyday like I used to.  One time, as I was about to put it back, I had a thought.  Why don’t I just put it out on top of my dresser?  Then I can look at it all the time.  And, when my friends come over, I can show them how beautiful it is.  So that’s what I did.  I found a stand to put it on, and it stood on the middle of the dresser.

As time went by, I put more things on top of my dresser.  I put some awards that I received at school and some pictures of friends.  I kept a bank of money on the dresser, and my favorite watch, and I can’t remember what else was up there…

Then one day I brought some of my friends over to my house.  We were in my room, just talking.  They weren’t just any friends, but the most popular girls I knew.  I was really proud that they would come over to my house.  I was so proud that I thought I would show them the things on top of my dresser.  I showed them my watch and my bank.  One of them said “I’ve seen those things before.” …hmm, I thought.  I showed them my awards, and this started them on a conversation about all the awards they had won. …hmm, well what else can I show them that they don’t have? 

I’ll show them the crystal egg my Father gave me!  I had to reach clear to the back of the dresser because everything else was in front of it.  I started clearing things out and tried to get their attention – “Hey everyone, look what I’ve got!”  I couldn’t even get their attention.  I figured I’d just grab it and they’d all look at me.  I was right.  I grabbed it, and it slipped from my hands and broke into a thousand pieces in the middle of my bedroom floor.  They all were silent, just looking at me.  Then one of them said, “What a klutz”.  Another said, “I know your Father, and he’ll never forgive you.  You better run away and hide.”  Then another said, “You ruined my whole afternoon – let’s go.”  They all left, and I could hear them laughing and making fun of me as they left my house.  I knew not only that they wouldn’t be my friends going forward, but that they had never been my friends to begin with. 

I just sat on my bed and looked at the pieces on the floor, and then I began to cry.  I sobbed until I had no more tears to cry.  Desperately I tried to think of what I could do.  There was nothing to do.  Not all the glue or money or anything else I could think of would help.  I was distraught.  Maybe when my Father came home I would tell him that my friends tricked me and that they broke the egg and left.  I thought on that for a moment.  No, that would not work.  My Father knows my heart and my face when I am lying.  Besides, he had told me that it was my responsibility to keep it away from harm.  Maybe I should run away.  No, I just couldn’t do that.  I loved my Father too much, and I didn’t want to leave him.  I knew that only the truth would do.  I would tell my Father.  It had been a while since I had given him some of my time.  That made it even harder.  Why didn’t I go to him more often?  I should have listened to his advice.  Oh, what would he think of me?  I would just have to face my punishment.

When I heard the front door open,  I started down the stairs with dread.  I thought I had cried all my tears, but I could picture the disappointment on his face, and I lost everything I had inside of me.  He met me on the stairs;  I ran into his arms, weeping pitifully.  I gave into my sobs,  and he just held me and said “Let’s go to your bedroom.”  I held onto him, fearing his anger and the punishment he might impose.  When we reached my room, he didn’t mention the crystal egg; he didn’t yell or chastise me.  He sat on my bed and pulled me onto his lap and close to his chest.  “I’m sorry Da…” I tried to get out.  He looked into my face and asked me what had happened.  I told him that I loved that egg and that I used to care for it so well.  But, after years went by, I became careless.  I put it on top of my dresser, which had become cluttered with other things.  I told him how I had knocked it off, how it broke, and how my used-to-be friends ran off and laughed at me.  He just held me, told me that he loved me and kissed me on the top of my head – same as the day he had given the egg to me.

He then held my face in his hands.  He spoke softly.  “Child,” he said, “I can tell that your heart is broken.  You have no need to fear.  It is true that you did not do as I told you.  But you remembered the things that I said, things that were more important than the crystal egg itself.  You see, before I told you the rules I asked you to follow, I told you that I am here to care for you as your Father.  I loved you before you were even born. 

“That egg was made special for you.  Eggs are made for birth, and they are broken to give way for birth of new things.  But I made something else for you before you were ever born.”  He reached behind his back and pulled out the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.  I really cannot describe it to you.  In fact, I told my Father that I would not share it with you until the right time.  It wouldn’t be right until you wore the one he prepared special for your head.  I can tell you one thing about it:  It was a crown.  He placed it on my head.  He told me I never need worry again, because this crown is indestructible and beyond harm or loss.  He held me to his chest – he hugged me and told me that he loved me.  I knew, beyond any doubt,  that he truly did.  I didn’t think I could ever feel like I had on the day he had given me the crystal egg, but, if the  truth be told, it wasn’t even close.  I love my Father, but he loved me first.

Zephaniah 3
¹⁷ The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

2 Timothy 4
⁸Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

James 1
¹²Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Revelation 3
¹¹I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

Blessings,

Tony

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