1 Peter 2:9 New International Version (NIV)

⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

In September of 2014, I made a trip to Texas and visited many friends and family.  James Avery jewelry is something you find in Texas and surrounding states but not on the East Coast (i.e. Virginia).  While in Texas I wanted to get a James Avery ring with an amethyst to remind me that God is my ultimate Bridegroom and to remind me that He sees me as royalty and His treasured possession.  I found the most beautiful ring and it reminds me of these things every time I put it on.  Purple also happens to be my favorite color.

Fast forward to last week…I have played the hammered dulcimer on and off for 23 years.  The best dulcimers, in my opinion, are made by Russell Cook and Master Works out of Oklahoma.  I have a beautiful chromatic Russell Cook edition dulcimer made in 1998 and I love it.  But I have been wanting something more portable to transport and take on trips.  I called Master Works last week and learned they now have a soprano dulcimer, which is much smaller and very portable and found out they had 1 in stock and 4 about to be strung.  So I ordered it.  I called Master Works yesterday to see what kind of wood was on the one that was ready and Russell himself answered the phone!  He said the one that was ready to ship was made of mahogany, white maple, and purple heart end rails.  Purple heart is an exotic wood that is literally purple!  I said that would be wonderful and he shipped it out.  I haven’t received it yet but he sent me pictures.  So my day continued and I never made the connection until last night.  I was so overwhelmed that God would give me a dulcimer with purple wood on it to worship Him with – another reminder that I am chosen, a royal priesthood, His special possession, and that I belong to Him!  No one in the world has a dulcimer like this, with this combination of woods.  Another reminder that I am precious to Him and there is no one else like me in all the earth.