DIGGING FOR A PEARL OF GREAT PRICE. When your worst problem works for your good.
On the beach the wind was blowing toward the aquamarine Ocean.
As I walked with the breeze toward the white frothy surf an untouched seashell caught my attention.
I picked up a whole black mussel shell. Both pieces were in tact creating a bed for a pearl in the bivalve organism.
Got me thinking of pearls and the beauty of the gem caused by a grain of sand.
After the irritant finds it’s way into the living organism of the oyster, clam or other mollusk. This mollusk then creates a fluid to cover the sand so that it is no longer an irritant.
Layer after layer of this fluid forms the gem we value enough to make into a piece of jewelry. A pearl of great price.
What if we compared the problems in our lives to that invasive particle of sand? And the seashell to our circumstance?
If we looked at the trials we face in terms of a process that builds something wonderful we’d have a whole new level of appreciation for it, wouldn’t we?
Maybe it would open us up to more patience for those things we can’t control. New strength to face the day. And gratitude for even the most frustrating problem we can’t solve.
When I held the shell in my hand I thought about putting every insult, thoughtless action from others and placed it in. Every loss, disappointment and missed opportunity. Even the disappointments I had for myself.
I filled that empty shell with the difficulties we’ve faced these last few years and I threw it back into the ocean.
Holding on instead to the pearls~ the wisdom I’ve gained. All the love from my family and friends. And the lessons I’ve learned through each crazy setback.
Personally, I’ve tapped into more grace. I’ve recommitted to spending my time on what’s important. And, looked at what needs to be left behind for a life well lived.
The process through living in a broken and sometimes painful world can lead us to the pearl of great price, the Christ.
2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3
