I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

 

About two weeks ago, I wrote about joy and gratitude and how they often went hand in hand. Gratitude and a different outlook on difficult situations can bring not only joy and happiness but also hope. When one sees the good, even in gloomy circumstances, it gives one hope because it means that one can still see God’s goodness.

 

A year or so ago, my mother was busy teaching a class. When she looked down for a moment, she noticed her gold engagement ring and adjoining wedding band, and that there was a gaping hole in the setting where the diamond usually was. The diamond had fallen out. (Now, I am a bit of a magpie and love bling, so just the idea of such an incident immensely annoys me.)

 

So my mother told her class that the diamond was missing. The matriculants were all just so shocked and upset, and diligently searched for the small diamond. One child even grabbed the broom and started sweeping.

 

After a few minutes, my mother called off the search and decided to proceed with her lesson.

 

“But teacher, what about your ring?” one child worriedly asked.

 

“Ah, it is just a ring. At least I still have my husband,” she answered.

 

Yes, my mother was disappointed about the loss. But she never allowed it to steal her joy because she realised that there were other things in her life that were much more important and had much more value than a diamond.

 

I cherish this story because it constantly reminds me to look out for God’s goodness and to be grateful for it, even if I am heart-broken or disappointed about something. It reminds me to appreciate God’s grace in my life anew and to tackle every day in hope.