Looking for Diamonds

Albert Einstein said, "In the middle of every difficulty liesnopportunity." Once discovered, such opportunities are likenvaluable diamonds hidden in the sand.nnSeveral years ago I spoke at church about how we are surrounded byn"diamonds," if we could only recognize them. A man stopped by to seenme. I remembered him as somebody who had suffered through a painfulndivorce and was examining his life's priorities. His outstretched handncontained a small, plastic gem stone.nn"I stepped on this gem stone when I was leaving church last Sunday,"nhe explained. "It became lodged in the sole of my shoe. You had spokennabout recognizing opportunities - diamonds. I put the plastic stone innmy pocket to remind me to look for those diamonds that I need.nn"I have been trying to sell my business," he continued. On Mondaynmorning, a man stopped by who seemed interested in purchasing some ofnmy stock. I thought, 'Here's my diamond - don't let it get away!' Insold the entire stock to him by noon.nn"Now," he said through a broad smile, "my next diamond is to findna new job!"nnNot long afterward, he did find a new - and better - job. He resolvednto keep his gem stone with him from then on as a reminder to look forndiamonds as he digs through the difficulties of life.nnRichard DeVos is accurate when he points out, "This is annexciting world. It is cram-packed with opportunity. Great momentsnwait around every corner." Those moments are diamonds that, ifnleft unrecognized, will be forever lost.nnAre you looking for diamonds every day? If not, you may easilynpass them by! Perhaps there is a diamond of opportunity hidden in thatndifficulty you're experiencing now.