Pearls….

 Pearls….

Seventy years ago this month, my grandfather bought my grandmother an 18” string of pearls…$103.00, for Christmas…it was a big deal, money was scarce…I still have them with the receipt. They eventually go to my youngest daughter who has her name and birthdate…

When I read this devotional from “Cancer Companions”, a daily online devotional for cancer patients and caregivers…the mention of pearls struck my heart…pearls come with a price…and then reading about heaven, each of the twelve gates is a single pearl, that’s a hefty price as well…

We don’t have to fight cancer to create pearls in our lives, we each face various challenges which mold us into gems of great worth…

Thank YOU….

“The Pearls of Cancer

Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer

Written by Justin Wood

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46 NIV).

“A beautiful pearl is birthed from trauma. A pearl forms when an oyster encounters a life-and-death battle from an invading parasite (or some other deadly irritant). The oyster literally fights for its life by creating layers of defense around the deadly invader. Over time, the oyster’s fight with death creates a beautiful pearl that hides the trauma within its beauty. Moreover, pearls are the only gems created by living creatures, and they require no human polishing or human cutting. Pearls are the very symbol of perfection.

In today’s short parable, we see a merchant who gives up everything to buy a pearl. The parable can be viewed in two different ways: 

First, maybe God is the merchant who gave up all that He had in order to buy you—His pearl of greatest value. 

Second, maybe we are the merchants who need to see the good news of God’s kingdom as a treasure that is worth everything. 

Either way that you want to interpret it, the pearl is so extremely valuable.

If you have fought with cancer, you have some pearls in you. Have you stopped to consider the beauty that has formed within you through your trauma? It may be hard to see the pearl forming while you fight for life, but those pearls are there. Moreover, it sometimes takes an oyster years to form a pearl. Likewise, it may take years for you to see the pearls that have come from the trauma in your life. But they are there. Keep looking.

Practically, what are some pearls that have formed in you? Maybe a stronger relationship with family or a caregiver? Maybe a powerful new truth that you understand? Maybe a love for life and a respect for the short time we have on earth? Maybe a closer walk with God? 

When you find those pearls, hold onto them. Don’t hide them away. Place them around your neck. Hang them from your ears and on your wrist. Carry them proudly. Don’t be afraid to share your pearls that have been birthed from your trauma. Someone around you needs to see your pearls. Show them. 

Pray: Jesus, I want to see past the trauma and see the pearls in my life. Open my eyes to see the pearls of beauty in my life. Amen.

Your Turn: Write out the trauma and the pearls you have. Who needs to be encouraged with the beautiful pearls that you now possess? Share your story and your pearls with others.”

Justin Wood

 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

Rev.21.21

Pearl of great price…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PsXgHNg48M

I’ve found the Pearl of greatest price…written by John Mason in 1683

I’ve found

the pearl of greatest price,

My heart doth sing for joy:

And sing I must, a Christ I have;

O what a Christ have I?

2 Christ is the Way, the Truth, the Life,

The way to God on high,

Life to the dead, the truth of types,

The truth of prophesy.

3 Christ is a prophet, priest and king,

A Prophet full of light,

A Priest that stands 'twixt God and man,

A King that rules with might.

4 Christ's manhood is a temple, where

The altar God doth rest;

My Christ, he is the sacrifice,

My Christ he is the priest.

5 My Christ he is the Lord of lords,

He is the King of kings;

He is the Sun of righteousness,

With healing in his wings.

6 My Christ, he is the Tree of Life,

Which in God's garden grows;

Whose fruit does feed, whose leaves do heal;

My Christ is Sharon's rose.

7 Christ is my meat, Christ is my drink,

My physic and my health,

My peace, my strength, my joy, my crown,

My glory and my wealth.

8 Christ is my father, and my friend,

My brother and my love;

My head, my hope, my counselor,

My advocate above.

9 My Christ, he is the Heaven of heavens,

My Christ what shall I call?

My Christ is first, my Christ is last,

My Christ is all in all.

The Christian's duty, exhibited in a series of hymns, 1791