When You Find A Pearl

Black Pearl and Shell

Do you wonder if it is real? Jesus spoke of a merchant who recognized the value of one:

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46 KJV)

To learn more about pearls, parables and this parable in particular, you’ll find Robert Lloyd Russell’s book, “One Precious Pearl” of great value. You can read an excerpt on his website. 

I have a rather odd pearl in a ring.  It’s a touristy thing at a Hawaiian jewelers.  Pick out an oyster, seeded much earlier, and found a ‘black’ pearl, which is actually rather gray, that we set into a ring.  Nice little memory reminder of a wonderful vacation.

Also a reminder of how pearls are made.  In nature, a grain of sand or other irritant, gets under the mantle of a mollusk – we usually think of oysters (at least I do!) – and mollusk adds layer after layer of tiny crystals of calcium carbonate (that doesn’t sound romantic at all, does it?)

Pearls are either natural or cultured.  The one I have is cultured, as are most others.  Naturals are rare, sometimes oddly shaped and usually very expensive. A set of matched cultured pearls is very expensive, too, so treat them with respect.

Also, consider how they are made – especially when we find there is someone in our lives that we find very irritating.  What a precious jewel can be created when we surround that irritant with love. Build up layers and layers of Christ’s reflected love in response to His commandment:

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matthew 22:39 KJV)

Boy, that’s hard to do, isn’t it? Think of the person that irritates you the most. Yep, that one.  Doesn’t matter, that’s still our ‘neighbour’ and we’re specifically told to love. Can we find one thing about that person that brings a smile?  (No, sneers do not count – must be a smile.)

I have one in mind – an irritating person and a reason they’ve given me for smiling.  When you get yours in mind, want to accept a challenge? I’m challenging to add a layer of love – Tell them what made you smile, as a compliment, as part of a conversation, your choice.  Seem them out (as I will) and make the effort.

If you are a prayerful person, add them to your prayer list, too.

Come back – I won’t specify a timeframe – and share your experience. We’ll look to see if we’ve found another pearl of great price, as our Lord has done in us.