As I meet, listen and talk with folk, I see over and over how people are living very differently now compared to earlier in their lives. I have found this so interesting as these things are shared with me.

Some people have lived the same way all their lives and never see change, except for growing old. Some, since leaving parents, have always lived alone. They have never had others in their life and – at some time later – had to care for ageing parents. Now, as they age themselves, they can find life extremely difficult; no one to share their pain, to express how they are feeling about such a dramatic, lonely change.

Many have been in a marriage relationship for a long time and now see loved ones moving slowly, and themselves ill as well. Some have been married but now, because of the death of a loved one, are battling a new loneliness. This new role sometimes excludes them from invitations with couples who they shared their lives with before. No longer being part of a couple has separated them – they are expected to spend time with others who have also suffered loss or are on their own.

Still others are married but their families have moved to a distant state. There can be no help from these family members if needed, they rarely see grandchildren and they are excluded from family activities.

Refined like gems

At times, our lives take one of these new roads. Mine began at the death of my husband. It’s a road I’m adjusting to, with the Lord’s strength and help, and I’ve become more aware of the Holy Spirit working in my life as I have become bolder in sharing with others who have also lost loved ones.

A couple of years back, after my husband died, I travelled to Lighting Ridge with Bush Church Aid. I learned so much from this trip. Seeing the mines deep in the earth gave me a glimpse of how dark some lives are without the Lord. Knowing that those digging for gems are hitting rock to find a treasure, and that the treasure sometimes brings disappointment and sometimes joy.

As I explain this to those I speak to, it leads me to say how our lives can be very difficult and sad. Yet, as the miners keep digging, they are rewarded with a small, shiny light in the rock. I see that gem as each of us. I see the Lord as our rock. Strong, never to be shaken or moved, he is the foundation that we are to build on.

As a gem is brought to the surface, the owner of that gem can see the dirt in his treasure. The same way the Lord sees the dirt of our sin in us. So, that gem needs refining. 

How is this done? The same way that the Lord refines us. He chips away, bit by bit. At times it is painful, knowing he is bringing out the beautiful colour we may have lost – or never known because we have ignored him.

With the death of my husband I’ve been able to share this with many people. Because I know Christ is my rock, and I am his gem. He is constantly chipping away in my life each day so I will come out bright and shiny when I finally meet him.

I pray for those I meet. I pray that they will call on him for peace and comfort each time the Lord chips away a little bit more to expose them shining for Christ.

Mrs Marlene Short is a member of Winmalee Anglican Church.