I pray you see your worth.

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.   - Chinese Proverb

Lately it seems I have been offering this Chinese Proverb as advice a lot.  I love this proverb because it reminds us that the most beautiful gem has to go through some of the roughest friction in order to have it's true beauty shine through.  Not only that, but then it takes it a step further and relates  to the most beautiful of all gems... the human. 

As you all know I have a passion for people.  I love listening to people's stories.  I love offering advice when I can and receiving advice when it's there.  Having relationships with others is something that I cherish dearly.  Lately though, I have listened to a lot of people close to me talk about their struggles.  While I do my best to be there, it seems I leave the conversation feeling like I could have done more. 

 As a friend I want to be able to help encourage the people I care about when they face times of trial and tribulation. I may not always succeed, yet I do offer the best support I can for the people that I care deeply about.  One thing that has recently been a heart break to me is hearing some of the people I love so much think they are not good enough, or can't stand up to a challenge.  Hearing those that I adore go through hard times that wreck their spirits completely breaks my heart. 

This morning I have sat on this thought.  I have asked questions like "Why are they going through this?" and "How can they not see how beautiful they are?" "Don't they know how much they are loved?" "When did they forget their own strength?" All these questions have made me wonder if maybe I haven't done my part as a friend to let them know how much worth they truly carry.  And while I know that I can not take on the worlds problems, I just wish I could let the world see that even through the mess and the hard times, there is a beautiful, loving, life full or worth, that is significant in every way.

The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.

...repeat, repeat, repeat...

I hope that anyone facing a hard time can use this Chinese proverb to remind themselves that we must face hard times to allow our true beauty to show.  I hope that anyone on the edge of giving up or anyone feeling down or anyone feeling worthless and completely out of strength can read these words and find that last leg of strength needed to push through.

 Life is worth living,  Beauty is made to shine, and Triumph always follows trials.