The Gift-Wrap and the Jewel

The Gift-Wrap and the Jewel 

"I looked in the mirror and what did I see?
But a little old lady peering back at me,
With bags and sags and wrinkles and wispy white hair,
And I asked my reflection, how did you get there?
You once were straight and vigorous,
And now you're stooped and weak,
When I tried so hard to keep you from becoming 
    an antique.
My reflection's eyes twinkled and she solemnly
    replied,
You're looking at the gift wrap and not the jewel
    inside,
A living gem and precious of unimagined worth,
Unique and true, the real you, the only you on earth,
The years that spoil your gift wrap with other things
    more cruel,
Should purify and strengthen and polish up that jewel,
So focus your attention on the inside, not the out,
On being kinder, wiser, more content and more devout,
Then when your gift wrap's stripped away,
Your jewel will be set free, to radiate God's glory
    throughout eternity!"

    -- Wanda B. Goines. 
  Submitted by Cheryl T., New Zealand