WE ARE PRICELESS...LIKE THE PEARL

While on a recent trip, my husband and I got up early for a walk along the beach to watch the sun rise. Our early morning excursion allowed us to take in the soothing sounds of the waves and the constant chatter of the seagulls. Between getting lost in the view and our conversation, I noticed what appeared to be a shell planted in the sand. The closer I got, the more I realized that this shell was not like the typical shells I usually find on my shell-finding expeditions. I believed that what I discovered may have been an oyster!  I bent down to examine it more closely and found that it was completely intact and it sparkled when hit by the rays of the sun.  I was completely convinced that this shell may have very well been the former home of a pearl!! 

I gingerly wrapped up my find in a napkin and took it back to the hotel to do a little research on it.  As I perused through a number of sites on oysters and shells, I came to the conclusion that what I had in my possession was not an oyster, but another type of mollusk;  like a mussel or a clam. I did however, find out that pearls can develop in other types of mollusks too.  This information fueled my desire to know more about the creation of a pearl.  Of course, I knew the basics of how a pearl was formed, but my research led me to some interesting parallels between human beings and pearls, take note....

The birth of man/woman AND the birth of the pearl are both truly miraculous events.

what captured my attention was that the pearl begins as a parasite or an irritant, inside the oyster's body and the oyster defends itself by secreting a smooth and hard crystal-like substance, called "nacre" to protect itself. The longer the intruder is lodged within the oyster's body, the more "nacre" it will release.  This fluid-like substance will completely encase the invader, layer after layer after layer which eventually leads to the creation of what we know as this precious gem....a pearl!

I also learned in my reading, that the "nacre" which is made up of crystals of calcium carbonate, not only help to soothe the irritation caused by the trespasser, they perfectly align, so that light passes through and creates a reflection that produces a rainbow of color and light.

 Now you may read this and wonder how this...albeit amazing process, lead me to visualizing a connection between man/woman AND the pearl. 

Well, let's begin at the top...

While the oyster lives in the habitat that was created for it to live in, a parasite, invader, or intruder enters and begins to irritate its body. It is able to penetrate it so deeply, that it's difficult to shake. WE (man/woman) also experience parasites, invaders and intruders, they come in the form of difficult people, circumstances, situations and emotions (unforgiveness, hate, fear, anger, jealousy, discouragement) and lack of hope.  These things don't travel alone, they enter with the assistance of the master intruder himself...satan! And if we aren't careful, he will attach himself so deeply, that it will be difficult to  shake him off and see the light of day. The oyster has a way of defending itself from the intruder, when it secretes the "nacre" which covers and protects it from irritation.

 WE have protection from the intruder too...it comes through our faith, from constant prayer and from The Word of God! All of these tools, protect and shield us like the "nacre" that surrounds the pearl and form the Armor of God around us which helps US to sparkle and allows our light to shine, while casting a reflection of God's love for others.  Our armor also gives us the strength to stand against the invaders, intruders and the things that irritate us and help to mold and polish us into the precious, priceless "gems" that God designed and intended.❤