While many of us have already begun to celebrate this wonderful season from Thanksgiving to Christmas, I'm reminded of the grief and reality that sets in hearts and minds of those who will face another joyful season in tears and heartbreak without a precious loved one at their side. The loss is certainly not one of choice and it irritates within the very depths of our soul much like an oyster inside a shell being irritated by the tiniest particles of sand washing in and out through the many waves of life, with no means of escaping the years of devastating anguish. But I ask you to consider the pearl.
A pearl is widely admired and a very coveted and costly gem which begins its life inside an oyster’s shell minding its own business when suddenly an intruder, an uninvited guest such as a grain of sand or bit of floating debris, slips in between its 'protective shell'. In order to protect itself from irritation, the oyster will quickly begin covering the uninvited visitor with layers of nacre but as layer upon layer of nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, coats the grain of sand, it becomes a beautiful iridescent gem; The iridescent gem of the pearl. A beautiful stone produced from this unwanted irritation; from this intruder which was an uninvited guest.
I have often referred to my “path of widowhood” as an intruder; uninvited and certainly unwanted. I notice that as I have walked forward on this path, it's been easy to focus on the many dismays, the heartbreak, and the many irritations widowhood places upon one's life. How can anyone take this intrusion of grief and produce anything beautiful from it? How can anyone make sense of walking alone through life when you loved walking hand in hand with that loved one? I have come to know that it is 'Only through Christ Jesus', dear friend, and Him alone. In Him we find the strength needed to bear the grief and hardships that each new day of widowhood brings upon our lives. Only in Him can we bear these irritants that seek to control our heart and mind; but it is also in these times where something as precious as a pearl can be formed.
When time came for Jesus to leave His followers and return to Heaven, He knew we would need a comforter to walk this earth without Him beside us so He sent His Holy Spirit as He promised, to comfort and guide those who seek to follow His ways. It is God’s plan to use life’s experiences to shape us into believing witnesses He can use as in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose," No matter if life deals good or bad, happy or sad, light or dark times; God takes whatever life deals us and shapes us into the person He desires each of us to be for His glory sake. He desires that each of us become victorious witnesses of His purpose as He exchanges 'beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness' as declared in Isaiah 61:3.
The very things we wish could be removed from our lives are the very things God uses to shape us and use for His glory. It has taken some time; really, more time than I like to admit to get me above and beyond, but in the midst of all the pain and ugliness of this grief journey, He has shown me how He can use the irritants of life and form a pearl that can be used for His glory. No longer am I like the oyster enclosed in its own shell being irritated by the tiniest particles of life washing in and out; but under God's protective and watchful eye, He is showing me how He takes the good and the bad and is molding me into an Iridescent Pearl, secure in His love. He who took my grief and turned it into joy; took the irritating sand to shape me into His pearl; and now has a witness that no evil or harm shall befall or come near us that He can't turn it all around and use it for His glory.
I am fully aware that loss is devastating and a very painful irritant of life; sometimes more than we can bear; but I also know God encourages us to cast all our cares upon Him so He can help in times like these. Consider allowing Him to carry your load and to make this season the best it can be for all concerned. As you do, I pray that somewhere down life's road you will find your pearl in your journey as well. Have a wonderfully blessed day, dear friend. God loves you and so do I~~
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