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And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 ESV

Consider the pearl.

A widely admired and coveted gem, it begins its life inside an oyster’s shell when an intruder, such as a grain of sand or bit of floating food, slips in between one of the two shells of the oyster.

In order to protect itself from irritation, the oyster will quickly begin covering the uninvited visitor with layers of nacre. Layer upon layer of nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, coat the grain of sand until the iridescent gem is formed.

The iridescent gem of the pearl. A beautiful stone produced from an irritation. An intruder. An uninvited guest.

I have often referred to this “path of widowhood” as an intruder. After all, it was certainly not in the plans for my life. Uninvited and unwanted. And, as I have walked forward on this path, it has brought along many irritations.

It is quite easy to focus on the irritants this invasion has placed upon our peaceful lives.

How can I take this intrusion of grief and produce anything beautiful from it?

Only through Christ, my sisters.

ONLY. THROUGH. CHRIST.

How we approach these interferences that seek to embed pessimism into our hearts and minds is where we can develop something as precious as a pearl.

Christ was to be a comforter. And so He is. He was sent to comfort those who seek Him and not the world for comfort. It is God’s plan to use life’s experiences to shape us into the believing characters He wants us to be. The good and the bad, the happy and the sad, the light and the dark times, are what shape the person God desires you to be. He yearns for you to be a witness of His purpose in your life.

“…to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit”
Isaiah 61:3 ESV

The very things that we wish could be removed from our lives can be the very things that God uses to shape us and use for His glory.

It has taken some time, but I want the pain and ugliness of this grief journey to be used for His glory. I am choosing to take this unwanted intruder and allow Christ to mold it into an iridescent witness for God. He has held me through the pain. He has provided for me. And He has shown me that, by relying on Him and trusting Him, He can make something beautiful out of the hurt.

I pray that you, also, can find the pearl in your journey.

Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for being able to take this intrusion of grief and allow You to make a “pearl” of witness for Your love for me. I pray each of my sisters can find the “pearls” in the messiness of their invasions. Our trust and hope is in You as our comforter. Amen