Lots of Love in Pearls and a Locket

Day 150 of Photo Inspirations -- Lots of Love in Pearls and a Locket

This little cutie pie is the younger sister of my godson. She had these little pearls, with the locket, on at church on Sunday. I gave them to her on her birthday. Inside the locket is a photo of my husband and I holding her at her baby christening six years ago. The other photo is her with her siblings AND me.

It was a precious moment to see her wearing them. These children bless me so much. Since my own children and grandchildren live out of state, having these little sweethearts here with me in Tulsa, is such a blessing. The love they have for me, and me for them, is beyond explanation. I know it's heaven sent.

I love the special and intricate way God intertwines the details of our lives to bring about so many joys. If we live in awareness that "ALL THINGS work together for good to those who love God and are the called according to His purposes" (Romans 8:28), then ALL THINGS -- those little incidental meetings and occasions, the providential circumstances, and the surprise encounters.....will play a significant role in our future. Who would have suspected that our prayers for this little baby boy, who was so ill at birth, would eventually lead to our being his godparents. And who would have thought that those times of embracing this precious family would lead to these days when I have them in my life today -- filling that empty seat by me at church. These two lock me in with hugs throughout the church service. They tell me how much they love me. They give me exactly what I need.

I think about that little pearl necklace that didn't come with a great price, unlike natural pearls that come with a great price. A natural pearl begins its life inside an oyster’s shell when an intruder like a grain of sand, slips in between one of the two shells. In order to protect itself from irritation, the oyster will quickly begin covering the uninvited visitor with layers of nacre, the mineral substance that creates the mollusk’s shells. The nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, coat the grain of sand until the iridescent gem is formed.

In the same way, God creates a pearl out of every trial or struggle in our lives. I think about the trials and struggles our little godson went through, and those that my sweet husband and I went through.......but now I see how all of those times created pearls in our lives. God turned the tough times for good. God transformed them into pearls. Matthew 13:45 says, "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." I pray that you will find the pearls in your life -- perhaps, you already have, because you've learned how God has created something of great value in your life through the circumstances in your life.

The Pearl of Great Price

God is relentless in His pursuit of us. He speaks to us in a thousand different ways, endeavoring to get our attention. He is passionate in His love for us, and patient in His tolerance of us. And, just in case you ever doubt your self-worth, here is proof positive of how special and amazing you are:

In Matthew 13:45-46, Jesus told a simple little story about a merchant who was on a venture, trying to find expensive, beautiful gems. He was especially interested in finding pearls. Jesus said this man, looking for valuable pearls, found one pearl of great price. It was so exquisite, so beautiful, so rare, so valuable, he sold everything he had and he went and he bought that pearl.

YOU are the pearl of great price and God’s highest treasure. He searched far and wide for you, and He was overjoyed when He finally found you. You may have been covered with a little dirt when He first dug you up, but that didn’t matter to Him. He saw the beauty inside you, and He is committed to cleaning and polishing you until you glow with His radiance. Yes, you are His precious child who possesses the character and likeness of Him, the perfect Pearl. And doesn't that make us want to return His love by a relentess, consuming and passionate pursuit of Him?