Yesterday we went to Quartzite, a little space in the desert which is a cross between Mad Max and the Flintstones. Rock hounds and free spirits abound. It’s the perfect place to find someone to cut open a geode and provide a side order of information.
So, laden with a collection of my most promising geodes, we set off. First, disappointment: the cutting of geodes requires a diamond saw blade, therefore making their cutting a somewhat pricey endeavor. My desire to see inside, though, overshadowed my frugality, and I handed over one of my prizes, an ugly lump that looked like a ‘double’. For ten dollars and forty-five minutes, a rock-hound named Rob cut it in two. While a bit lighter on cash, I’m not disappointed anymore!
Now here’s where the side order of info comes in. Rob schooled me that what I have are not actually geodes, but are instead Thunder Eggs. The difference has something to do with how the ball was formed, and I’ll admit I don’t understand it all, but instead of crystals growing in a hollow middle (which denotes a geode), I have a solid core containing agate. Cool! (However, on my double one, there is a very small area with crystals!)
Now, armed with my prize, I walked away, sure that the grand reveal of all my other geodes would have to be postponed until we get home and fire up our tile saw. Then, we spied another man with his head down near a spinning blade. I watched him for a few minutes. He greeted me and after a few minutes, he offered to cut two of my smaller thunder eggs for free! Yes! Success! Generosity! In the end he cut six or seven for me and wouldn’t take my offered cash. Such fun revelation of the varied and beautiful souls within.
Huh. There’s a parable here. In that story, we are the thunder eggs. Sort of ugly on the outside and with no understanding of what actually lies within until we meet Someone willing to cut through the horrid and rough exterior and reveal the beauty inside. A beauty given us by our Creator. A soul ready to be polished and perfected. And He did it for free. No cost to me. What a concept! What a gift!
