Love is a Gem
Some songs arrive slowly.
Others are born in a moment.
“Love Is a Gem” came from one such moment — an ordinary event that carried unexpected meaning.
Recently, my husband had to purchase a new car. His old truck, after months of juddering along the roads, finally came to rest indefinitely at a garage. The search for a replacement led him all the way to Kissimmee, Florida, where he found a white van with spacious seating inside — which he later affectionately called “Snow White.”
When the van was brought home, he noticed that the previous owner had left a few items behind — among them, a metal gate and a cedar chest.
That cedar chest stopped me.
It immediately brought to mind the words recorded at Song of Solomon 8:8–10, where a question is asked:
“What will we do for our sister
on the day when she is spoken for?”
The answer follows with two images — a wall and a door:
“If she is a wall,
we will build upon her a battlement of silver;
but if she is a door,
we will board her up with a cedar plank.”
And then the woman speaks for herself:
“I am a wall…”
The poetry is striking in its simplicity.
A wall represents strength, resolve, and faithfulness.
A door represents openness — movement back and forth.
Cedar, long associated with permanence and value, becomes a symbol of protection — not punishment, but preservation.
Standing there, looking at that cedar chest, the imagery came together quietly and clearly. Love, when it is true, is not endlessly tested or divided. It is chosen. It is guarded. It is held close to the heart like something precious.
And so the song was born.
“Love Is a Gem” is not a song about accusation or fear. It is a song about clarity. About love that knows where it stands. About devotion that does not wander — because it does not need to.
Some love is rare.
Some love is strong.
And some love, once chosen, is held — like a gem — close to the heart.
Song Lyrics
Love, love is a door
A door that’s only crossed once
I, I am a wall
And I hold you
Near to my heart
Love, love is a bag
Filled with the sweetest of scents
I, I keep you close
And I hold you
Near to my heart
No man can see you
And yet you see all
You see my thoughts
And read my heart
Love, love is a gem
A rock that never breaks
I, I keep you close
And I hold you
Near to my heart
And you will guide me
With a cedar chest
For loyalty
Is the final test
Love, love is a gem
A rock that never breaks
I, I keep you close
And I hold you
Near to my heart
