She traded it all

Here is a story about a lady named Desire. Desire grew up very poor and lived in a very bad environment. She often felt like bad luck was always on her side. Good luck was always hard to come by. One day Desire left the house feeling like today was going to be another bad day. She lost one of her friends to a shoot-out and another in a car accident. She was feeling alone at this point. As she walked, she thought about all the bad decisions she had made in life. Wondering if any of those decisions would have landed her in a better place. While walking she found a place to sit and think.

Once she finished thinking and going through the motions of her friends no longer there to talk to her and give her some kind of hope. She decided to go down by the water where most people would be hanging and having fun. She hadn't been there since her last friend died. She remembered when her friends told her. She deserved to be happy. That one day some man will come and sweep her off her feet. She quickly stopped thinking about it, she shook off the thought because she never seen herself as someone that can attract a nice man. Or someone loving

her in that way.

At this point no man has ever come up to her and said anything nice or even tried to get her attention. She has watched for years. Her friends get the attention she always wanted. She still had two remaining so called friends. Danelle and Tonya. They were the kind of friends you only have around you because you have no one else. They are up and down towards Desire. Sometimes positive, sometimes negative. Mostly at the wrong times. As she walked by the water area, she saw Danelle and Tonya. They saw Desire but didn't give her any acknowledgement. They often felt embarrassed by Desire. 

She knew this and didn't want to be around them while they were with other people. There were nice young men that would come and hang out by the water. She knew they would act funny around them. So, she walked away from the crowd. She continued to walk by the water line, and she noticed something in the water floating towards her. She stopped, and stood still as she watched it get closer. Trying to figure out what it was. She stepped into the water and grabbed it. It was an old-looking box. It had a company name on the box. That same company has been digging in a site upstream. She opened it and it was filled with diamonds. She quickly covered it and ran home with the box. She felt life has given her a chance to change for the better.

She started thinking about all the things she could buy with the money she was going to get from trading in these diamonds. She thought about her dream house and her dream car. Getting her mother into a better home. Her life spending money and having a family with a husband. She was thinking how good she can make herself look with all the money she will have now. She was thinking about how she can now hang with Danelle and Tonya without embarrassing them. She had waited for a moment like this most of her life. She had the opportunity to be someone in the eyes of the world.

This was her time to find true happiness. She was not going to give this up for anyone or anything. This was her turn, her moment, her opportunity to experience Joy for once in her life. She didn't want anyone to find out. She held onto the diamonds and lived as if she didn't have them. Always knowing in the back of her head that she was rich. So, she walked around the house with newfound confidence. She could do whatever she wanted to do if she wanted to.

Suddenly a knock came on her door. She quickly pushed the box of diamonds under her bed. She went to answer the door. Before she could open the door, her mother yelled. Desire come answer the door. She yelled “I got it. She opened the door and it was a young man. She saw him by the water today walking around like he was looking for something. She remembered seeing him as she made her way home. He introduced himself as David. As he spoke his name, he seemed nervous while trying to talk to Desire. He kept looking into her eyes while he spoke.

She asked him. How can I help you? He said I saw you earlier by the water and I wanted to ask you a question, He said now that I'm standing here, I have a different question. He asked her if one day they could walk and talk by the water together sometime. She told him no, not right now. I have some things I need to do. He said OK, whenever you get a chance, here is my number and give me a call. I would really like to get to know you. She told him she was sorry and he caught her at a bad time. She was sorry for how she responded. At the sametime she couldn't get over how handsome he was.

After he left, her mother asked her who it was. Desire answered some guy from the water line. She ran into her room and grabbed the box again and played with the diamonds in her hand. She woke up the next morning, thinking about David. She was so happy about this young man wanting to talk to her. She was thinking her luck was really looking up. She was on cloud nine. She decided to call David and meet him by the water one day. She called him and they set up a time to talk.

They were having a great days with each other. They talked for hours. Getting to know one another. Talking about some great things. Even got personal at times. Deep emotional issues came out on certain subjects, and David now knew Desire better than anyone at this point. Desire learned a lot about David for herself. She had a one-on-one relationship with him that day. It continued for weeks.

One day Desire woke up feeling that she was in love with David, and she never felt this way for some in her life. At this time, she knew he wouldn't hurt her and that he would protect her. He would encourage her. He wouldn't leave her even when times get hard. Even at her lowest points. He was understanding and honest, gave her some hard truth when he needed to. Told her things that hurt her feelings, but it was all in love and helping her get past some strong past hurts in her life. Things in the past that were old wounds only he was able to get to and walk her through them. Just by talking to her and talking it out.

One day. David and Desire were talking, and he looked her in the eyes and told her he needed to ask her a question. She said I have a question for you as well. He said you go first. She asked him if he could ever see himself with her for the rest of his life. He advised that was the plan when I first saw you after you opened your door.

I wanted to get to know you then, but you were distracted by something that day. You felt you had to rush me off.

The beautiful woman I locked eyes with at the door. Was who I just wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I didn't need to know or care about all the baggage you were carrying. All baggage can be worked out. Those things are not who you are, just what you have been through that your refuse to let go. I was willing to walk with you through all of that. I know how crazy it would have sounded at the door. A stranger you have never seen before walks up to your door and tells you that he is in love with you and doesn't care about your past or present. Some stranger meeting for the first time just saying all these things. That he is not concerned about your past or current state. He is more concerned about your future. That would have been crazy. Right?

So, I didn't want to force that on you. So, that's why I asked if we could get to know each other. She answered and said oh no. You should have just said it. He said I wanted this approach of love to be mutual. To be honest I have loved before and it had broken my heart. I had given up everything before to show love and I didn't get the same in return. Sometimes it still hurts when I think about the people that I love and they don't love me back with the same energy. I forgive them though.

He said so now I think it is a good moment to ask you, my question. He said I wanted to know if you love me? She said wow. Yes! He said yes? She said I do. He said to her. I have been spending time with you, and understanding that you are a awesome person and I would like to be with you. He said but there is something I need to ask you. She asked him what is it? Ask me anything. He said I noticed the other day when we first meet. That you had found something by the water that day I came to your house shortly after that. Can you tell me what it was that you found? She said “oh you saw that? It was nothing important. He said I want us to go into this relationship not having any more secrets between the both of us.

She said. I can't tell you what it is. He said I thought you loved me. She said I do; it's just that. Then she paused for a second. He said it's what? She said I just can't talk about it. He said so is this big enough to come between the both of us? You know how I don't like secrets. We talked about this before. Desire told him no, but you are the one making it a big deal. David told her I'm giving you one more chance to tell me what it was. She said I'm sorry I just can’t, but I still love you. He said OK. He said I love you as well. David told her it was a box of diamonds correct? She said, “how did you know that? He said, remember I told you my father owns his own business? She answered yes. My father and I own the company that found diamonds while digging upstream by the water you were walking in that day.

The diamonds fell in the water by one of my employees that work for my father. I ran down the side to try and find the box. I was saving this because I knew the time wasn't right. She asked why you didn’t say that at the door when you saw me. David said, “I was until I saw you face to face. It was more important that I got to know you. It's hard to say hey lady give me back my diamonds you thief or your going to jail. Oh by the way, would you like to go on a date?

If I had told my father, I found the person that stole our diamonds. He would have wanted us to press charges on them. But I got to know you and if I would have brought you to him after we got married. He wouldn't be able or no longer want to press charges on you, because he knows if he pressed charges on you. He would have been pressing charges on me. Since I'm not the guilty party you would have been. But by excepting my hand in marriage. You no longer would be the guilty party, because you are of the family. The diamonds would belong to you as well. So, we are not pressing charges on ourselves. So, you would no longer be a thief.

Desire said you never told me you were a billionaire. David said I'm not, but my father is. But you are right technically. Because what my father has, I have. I want for nothing. I have my seat in the business. I'm right by his side. Doing anything he needs me to do. But at the same time, he listens to me as well. We started the company together. I was there, from the beginning he runs the business behind the scenes and I'm the face of the business.

This was the last piece of info I was going to tell you today. Before I asked you to marry me. I already knew what you did. I just wanted to see if you would trust me enough with that secret to tell me. All those times we talked I was waiting for you to tell me. Then I could have shown you we can work through anything. I just wanted you to come clean on your own with me. Before I asked you to marry me. Now you see that the little box of diamonds can't compare to the life you could have with me.

Since you couldn't let that one thing you were holding on to go. I'm going to need my diamonds back. It is now over for us. You have made your choice. Desire with tears in her eyes realizing what happened. She would have still had the life she deserved even if she given up the diamonds. Because she now knows that the diamonds would have been Her’s anyway if she had married him. She understands now that she has lost everything she wanted. All because she was holding onto something that wasn't hers to begin with. Even if she had kept the diamonds. No telling if she would have found love like she did. Or was able to pull it off without the police finding out where she got the diamonds from.

Money can't buy connections and love. Diamonds can't hold you at night when you’re feeling sick. Money and things can't help you battle mental troubles. Having peace can do much more. Having someone by your side and someone to talk to can do wonders. Desire found out the hard way that holding onto things that we think we need. Can be the very thing that keeps us from getting everything we ever wanted.

Here is the breakdown.

Representatives:

Desire= US

David= The Lord

Danelle & Tonya= People around us

Box of Diamonds= The things we think we need in this life

Desire reminds me of how we go through life, feeling like we don't have what we deserve. The situation around us isn't what we thought it would be. Some of us had dreams and desires. Even growing up in a bad environment most of us still thought about doing something. Along the way we had so many things happen to us. We were born in certain environments that influenced our past and current state. We had friends and family do us wrong. We often think back to what if this and what if that. What if that person really came through and did what they said they were going to do. If my family would have just let me do this. I would be ahead right now. If my father or my mother were around things would have been different.

People have cheated us out of things. Some things we just lost on our own through bad choices. We were young and dumb and hardheaded. People told us to do certain things and we didn't listen. Some of us still like that, people giving us wisdom and we still don't use it. We had friends and we lost friends. Either bad break-ups or by death. Either way we all have lost someone or something close to us. She reminds me of the person that. After all these things happened to them. They just built up a wall of negativity and bitterness towards life. It's easier to feel like nothing good is going to happen. Because if something good does happen. It's a great thing. Like it's a bonus.

Have you ever had a season where no matter what you did. Nothing ever went right. It looks like it's going well, but you know better. You feel like It's just not in your cards. You get your hopes up when someone tells you they will hook you up with something. Someone said they were going to help you pay a bill, so you're lights don't get cut off. Or you don't get you're car repossessed. You know that if they come through with that. That would help you out greatly. Then something happens and they don't come through for you. You were trying not to get your hopes up, but for once you just wanted to believe it was going to be different this time. Then on top of that. You have family you feel don't want to see you win in life. Like they always have a problem with you or what you’re doing with you're life. Like you did something to them. In some cases they are doing better than you, but they upset at how you're trying to get ahead in you're life.

So, Desire walked out of the house with that same mindset as some of us have today, nothing good was going to happen for her. Then she begins to think about all the bad things that have happened to her in the past. She saw the people at the water hanging out but didn't even want to go over there. Sometimes we get so low in life. We don't even want to be around other people. Not that they did anything to us. Sometimes they might have. It just bothers us that they are not going through the same thing we are going through. Or sometimes we don't want people to look down on us. Because on the inside, we know they may see what we are going through and then they judge us according to that. 

It's almost like I can't have fun with them because it will be fake fun. I don't want to have to put on a mask to have fun. Plus, I don't want people asking me questions about what I got going on. To me it's embarrassing and I'm not proud of myself at the moment. So, I will leave that scene alone. Plus, the friends Danelle & Tonya. They represented the people around us in this world. Sometimes you will find nice people and other times you won't. Now we must deal with that while going through all that we are dealing with. They just make things worse. The real world doesn't care about what we are feeling. It doesn't care about us making it.

The world (meaning the people and the day-to-day life that's going on right now around us) This world doesn't stop for us. no matter how much we think it should. It has its own problems. Some people in the world just choose to dress it up in nice clothes and buy nice cars. Staying in the hunt for money and status. Chasing the high they first experienced and never finding it again. That keeps them going only but for so long. While the world is not stopping for us. We have people out there trying to steal from us and set us up and hurt us. All of that on top of going through what we are already going through. They don't care at all.

That's like someone that just lost their job and only had their last paycheck already cashed in their pocket on the way home. Bills are already behind and then someone comes up on them and steals their money. If the world cared. They would have asked them. Hey! If I robbed, you will you be able to still pay you're bills? We know it won't go down like that. Life can be rough sometimes. It can be so heavy on the heart at times. Make you not want to deal with it anymore. But we have hope in the Lord. Because he is not control by the rules and laws of this world. No one can tell him not to bless us or not to care about us. He also told us to cast all our cares and our burdens upon him. Instead we carry the world on our shoulders ourselves. Let him have it, he is strong enough to carry it and walk with you at the sametime.

Back to Desire! But when she saw that box. She didn't think it was going to be something that was going to change her life. The Box represents the better side of life. Where things start to go well. It may not be perfect, but way better than it was. For some people it turns around completely. Not struggling like you used to. Better friends and some family members treating you good or better than before. Job is paying better, good or a crazy amount of money. People like being around you now. People are attracted to you know. All the good stuff. She didn't know she was walking into all that when she took the box. What she didn't think about was what bad comes with the box. We have to know when we do anything in life. We have to accept the goos as well as the bad.

Once she found it. Once she identified what it was. She valued it and took it home to protect it. I'm pretty sure in her mind she was thinking that this is the best thing that could and has happened to her. Just like us at times. We go through so much and then we get a little daylight. Something happens for a season where we are not doing so bad.

The sad part of this is when other people find the same thing. Because they are so damaged in the mind because of what they have been through. They wouldn't even trust a good day or season when they get one. They would just throw it away because it's too good to be true. Something good happening is the same thing as having something bad happen to them in their mind. Why because disappointment hurts bad. Some people rather not deal with disappointment with their hopes up. They function better in negativity. At least they know what to expect. How to move when things are bad. So, now when someone just shows up at their door.

They are more concerned about what they just received in that box. See, David represented the Lord. See, the Lord will come out of nowhere. When we least expect him to show up. So, once David got there and knocked on the door. He already knew what she had before he knocked on the door. He could have said Hey! You have my stuff, but instead he wanted to get to know her. Even though she stole from him. Unknowingly from him, she still took something that wasn't hers.

See, that happiness and joy sometimes we get it's not going to stay because of how we got it. See, some of us, get our lives turned around because we did dirt to get our so called joy or happiness. We stole joy and happiness by making someone else feel bad. Like people stealing someone else's spouse. That spouse wasn't yours and even if they making you happy. They’re not yours. Now you just caused someone else to feel the pain you were feeling before you started feeling better. You stole something from someone that didn't even steal from you. Of course we have these smart ones reading this. Saying something like this. If I took them from that person. Then they wasn't their's in the first place.

Well, lets take that and place it on everything. Because that's a mindset not a fact of life. So, that means you would be ok, if someone stole your car because you just left it downstairs. It was easy to get into and if it was that easy. You didn't have it in the first place. Right? Then when that happens to you. You come downstairs and your car is gone. The person that took your car didn't know that you were already on your last point for being late at work. They didn't know you were about to lose your job today because of what they just done. Just like you didn't know if they were going through something in their marriage to get better, but here you go. Making things worse and causing more damage. Now, you stole a spouse out of a home. That might have had kids. Now you and that person have just damaged the minds of the kids.

They may find out that their mother or father stepped out on their mom or dad. They don't understand what happened. Some cases the other half, doesn't tell the kids why they divorced and now the kids thinking it's because of them why they not coming back. Causing all kinds of mental battles about themsleves. But you so selfish youre not thinking about any of that. All you know is you want something. Willing to do anything to get it and make you happy. That's how the world lives. They go for what they want and care less how they get it. Or who they hurt in the process.

So, sometimes we can get these moments of life. Getting better through just going through it. Or we can be a jerk about it and cause pain in someone else life just to get it. There is a universal law that does exist. (Scripture So a man soweth that will he also reap). In other words. (What goes around comes around). That is a fact. May not be in the same way it went out, but something is coming back for you after that. Now through all that the Lord still wants to talk to us and let us know that he can give us true love, happiness and acceptance. He can give it to us in a way no one can steal it or knock us out of it.

David all that time knowing what she had done. Still talking to her and learning about her. Even though she had that secret. He still wanted to ask her to marry him. He was willing to deal with it all, he just wanted her to come clean before they got married. So, there would be nothing holding her back from loving him the way he wants her to. Also, he was trying to show her that there is nothing they can't get through if they just talk and work it out.

Then when he asked her if there was anything she said no. Even though he knew better., Same thing with the Lord. He already knows all the hurts and the pain that we carry. He knows what we can and can not do. What abilities we have and don't have. He just wants us to give it to him, and he can walk it out with us. He can also forgive us for all of the wrong doing. But we hold on to it as if we need it. It's only been making us make bad decisions and hurting other people. Really just hurting ourselves in the long run.

When she didn't want to say anything. That was her holding on to the world she was trying to protect. The little piece of joy she would have received. Since she wasn't sure if she would ever get that again. She found it hard to let it go. David was just trying to get her to make a choice. He knew that he could give her more than what the diamonds would have given her. With him she would have gotten more than diamonds and money. She couldn't see that at the moment. If she had just trusted him. And allowed the love, she had for him to give it up.

She would have found that her world and life would have changed forever. That's how we do with the Lord.

He asks us to give up things in our life. We feel we can't live without those things. Not knowing that he has all things and all things were made by him. He has the power to give us all that we need and a lot of what we want to enjoy things, but we settle for the temporary stuff. Why? Because what he was talking about she couldn't see. But she could see what was in the box. So, we have a habit of not walking in faith which causes us to pick things we can directly see. Anything out of faith is normally the things that can be seen and that's why we lose out on the Lord and the things he has for us. Because he has things for us that we can't see yet. So, since we don't see it we find it hard to believe it. She didn't see that bigger life with David. But she can see that life with those diamonds. She only saw it once he told her what was behind the scenes. If she would have step out on faith. She would have got it all.

So, at the end she chose to hold onto what the world could offer her. She didn't understand until it was too late that there was a bigger blessing waiting for her. If she had just given up what she thought was important and married him. She would’ve found that she made the better choice. We are doing that right now with the Lord. We pick the world over him every day. It will be too late once the end is here. We would have picked the world and not the Lord. Now, We will find that he was the owner of this all anyway. We were going to get the things that we needed and wanted along with him at the same time.

Of course, when we die it's too late. I will say pick the Lord today. Don't let the world make you think you can only get joy, happiness and peace through them. They can only give you a temporary fix. He will give you joy that the world can't take give or take away. A peace that you couldn't even understand. Attached is someone that will love you for you and never leave your side. And when it comes to protection, who can beat him?

Choose him today while you still can! Let go of the idea that the world has what you need. That the power you have in your hands can get you what you want. Many have gained riches and killed themselves. May have bought houses and cars and still feel empty inside. Men and women have been with 100 of partners and still lonely. Choose Christ that can give you the Peace, Joy and true Love along with the nice car and clothes.

Here are some scriptures that come to my mind after I read this. Look at them yourself and tell me what you think.

This one is when she was trying to hold onto the box under her bed

Matthew 6:19-21

19) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

She was trying to protect the life she thought she was going to have if she kept the box. What was she going to gain if she kept the box and lost David? She was going to get a jail sentence because she stole it. Also, another reason to say she has no luck. Lose out on being with her mother for a time being. A criminal record that would make it a little harder to get a job.

Mark 8:34-37

34) And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

35) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

36) For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

37) Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 

This is what was happening to Desire while David was talking to her at the end. He knew she had done all these things. Talked to him and told him everything except one thing. He asked her to give up the box and she couldn’t.

Matthew 19:16-24

16) And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17) And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18) He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19) Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20) The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24) And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

This is what David did with Desire. He knocked on the door and he asked to speak to her and get to know her.

Revelation 3:20

20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

See, the hard reality of the matter was. Desire was desperate for a better life. If she had some joy in her life and some kind of Faith and hope. When she saw that box and what was inside. She would have taken it back to the company. Why? Because she knew it wasn’t hers. She would have known it’s just the right thing to do. Also, that she would’ve gotten rewarded by the Lord for doing good. Maybe if it didn’t have a name on it. It might have been a little different because you wouldn’t know who to return it to. So, when the scripture says the soul loatheth an honeycomb. It is saying it dislikes sweat things. It doesn’t except any old thing. It wants what is right. But the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweat. When you are hungry for life. You will accept everything that comes with it. Long as you get what you want. The good and the bad. That’s why Desire couldn’t let go of the box. She had been so damaged. That she was going to have her life changed one way or another. All she thought was she was going to get a man. 

Proverbs 27:5-7

5) Open rebuke is better than secret love.

6) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful

7) The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

John 10:10

10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 Here are just some Scriptures to read later:

Psalms 37:4

4) Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Proverbs 30:5

5) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Jeremiah 29:11

11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Romans 5:8

8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

There's so many I can give but I'm going to let you search them out for yourself. This is where your own desire comes into play.

Thanks for reading!