The Pearl.

This is the title of a poem in the book of "Lady in Waiting" by Jackie Kendall & Debby Jones. I have read this book some months ago, and I re-read it again for a reminder and tried hard to apply what have been taught from the book. Chapter four uses the analogy of life being like an Oyster.

The following are some paragraphs I quote from the chapter:

"One of life’s most costly and beautiful objects is born out of pain and irritation–the pearl. A tiny piece of sand slips into an oyster’s shell and begins to rub against the soft tissue, causing irritation. In response to the irritation, the oyster produces a hard substance. This substance eventually develops ino one of the world’s most beautiful jewels–a lovely luminous pearl. In fact, the greater the irritation, the more valuable the pearl! "

"Many single women view themselves as ugly oyster shells lying on the beaches of life, beset with the trials and problems thaat come with not being married. To make matters worse, they compare their crusty exterior to all the beautiful seashells around them and wonder how any man could ever give his attention to them. "

Like the oyster and pearl, think of James 1:2-4, “Consider it all joy, my brethen, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Instead of the sands of your life causing bitterness, allow the trials to change you into a pearl.

The book also described two Godly women, Ruth and Rebecca (Genesis 24:16-25) who had been put in to unpleasant condition, but they persevere and kept their focus on God, which allow God through trials, change themselves into Pearl.

The Pearl (by Sylvia Hannah)
In every oyster there lies the ability

to produce something rare.

Truth like a grain of sand will produce

the pearl that is hidden there.

Young woman you are often mocked and scorned.

And told you never should have been born.

You want to run away, to hide your hurt.

Your heart is wounded, bleeding and torn.

God makes not mistakes

every life is special,

every life is planned.

Seeds can sprout in sand.

Open yourselves up to the Spirit of God

Grow in grace and maturity

Be what He wants you to be

Your beauty your strength lies deep within you.

Young woman, young girl,

open yourselves up to God.

Allow Him to reveal your pearl.