I don’t do jewelry.

When stores here in Dunoon, Scotland, opened again after covid, I was amazed to see so many folks—men and women—flooding into the high-end jewelry store in town. With all the things we did without when the world around us closed down, I wondered why it was suddenly vital to buy something from a jewelry store.

Today I was in that store to get a battery for my watch. While I waited, I walked around the shop gazing at everything in every case and realizing with shock that I not only didn’t need anything, but also, that I didn’t want anything. Had someone ushered me into the shop and said, “Here, get something nice for yourself. Something you really like,” I would have left empty handed. I knew I wasn’t a jewelry person, but my complete apathy surprised me. Of course, had the person handed me money and said, “Get something you really like,” I would have gone for chocolate.

I never have liked diamonds. To me, they are empty, cold, colorless stones. I like ordinary rocks. And I love God’s diamonds—the glistening raindrops sparkling on the edges of leaves after a rain…the diamonds shimmering under street lights after a hard frost; diamonds that radiate with life and color—and point to God, the Creator.

My favorite jewelry is Native American silver and turquoise. I admire the polished blue-hued rocks and the craftsmanship that created each piece. However, I don’t wear jewelry, not even turquoise, and I am equally moved to awe at finding a vein of turquoise in rock cliffs or finding sparkling quartz crystals in the desert indicating nests of hidden gold nuggets.

One of my joys is building with rocks. Two different Texas ranchers near our home gave me access to their properties to collect rocks. Driving around those pastures loading the truck with beautifully colored rocks of the right shape and size filled me with joy that—even as a writer—I am unable to adequately describe. Then the sheer delight of fitting the rocks together like a jigsaw puzzle (I had a rock hammer but never used it) to skirt around houses and buildings, to create a flower bed and rock the columns at our church, and to build raised flower beds and pave between them on our property—moments of heaven on earth. On Super Bowl Sundays while most folks were watching “The Game,” I was enjoying sparsely trafficked roads as I looked for rocks and brought more home. Ecstasy and bliss.

There are two reasons I eschew jewelry and jewelry stores. One, I find beauty in God’s world; the jewel-like orange buds of spring trees, the fragile beauty of brave flowers raising their heads up to paint the land with color. The other reason—God has blessed me with an extraordinary life…but that life is dwindling. If I were to walk into a high-end jewelry store and purchase everything in it…I would be separated from it when I drew my last breath here on earth. My spirit would instantly go to be with Father God. Everything else would be left behind. So at this stage of my life—my focus is less on temporary things I can’t take with me and more on Jesus and His Holy Spirit.

“So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. ‘They shall be Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts, on the day that I make them My jewels.’” Malachi 3:17.

I’m coming home, LORD, and I’m traveling light.

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