Hematite

I am a mirror of the Glory of the Lord

     Hematite is a silvery grey stone, metallic and shining, like a solid nugget of mercury. When you look into the surface of hematite, you might see yourself looking back; it is like a mirror. But the only perfect, flawless piece of hematite is one that was made in a factory or lab (all magnetic hematite is man-made) - a natural piece of this shiny stone will have chips, inclusions, bumps, and other imperfections, even when polished.

     Living on our own, by our own power, we are like raw hematite- rough and dark, maybe shiny on some sides, dirty, maybe even rusty from oxidization and changes in the environment. Our scars, bad habits, ill intent, lies and trauma can be represented by these flaws in the crystal: on our own, we can hardly reflect any light at all, even the shiniest stone.

     God is the Holy power whose light we can reflect, but only if we put our faith and trust in Him. If we lay our impurities at His feet, and trust Him with our lives, He will polish our hearts and clean off the dirt and rust, soothing our pain and healing us, so that we can reflect His love and light for all for the world to see.

     But even polished, we are still natural stones; our smoothest facets will always have hairline cracks and bands of red. He made us to be imperfect. We will never be as pure and Holy as the Lord while on this earth. But one day, when we see the Lord in person, we will be made pure in Him. Knowing this, be called to reflect His light and holiness to the fullness of your abilities, so that friends and neighbors and even strangers will see Him reflected in you.