Celebrating My Pearl
God is relentless in His pursuit of us. He speaks to us in a thousand different ways trying 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 gave another illustrated sermon about a merchant who was on a venture to find expensive pearls. And he found what he was looking for. It was one so exquisite, so rare, and valuable that he sold everything he had to buy that pearl. And that is the example of our value to God.
And speaking of a “pearl” that made the difference in my life, I present to you my sweet Mama, Edna PEARL Wheat, who would be 110 years old today. I would be remiss to not celebrate her this day because the best of me came from her. If ever there was an angel on earth, it was her. She was my mentor, role model and everything a mother should be. She selflessly gave: “Just give me the fried chicken neck — that’s good enough for me.” She always forgave — “It’s okay. God forgives me all the time. I can sure forgive you.” She unconditionally loved: “It’s okay that they don’t write or call me much. I love and pray for them anyway.” Her integrity and honesty were of utmost importance to her. I’ll never forget the day, as a tiny tot, that I saw a package of candy on the floor in the store and put it in my pocket. I reasoned that “if it’s on the floor, it’s okay to have it”. When she found it in my pocket, she marched me back into the store to admit my wrong-doing. That incident and lesson stuck with me like glue.
She gave me boundaries that worked: “Let your conscience be your guide.” Those words guided me when I was choosing right or wrong. She rarely missed a church service — Wednesday night, Friday prayer meeting, women’s meetings, Sunday School, AND church — twice on Sunday. She sacrificed her own needs for my needs. She demonstrated undaunted faith and determination in the toughest of times when my dad was so sick and when our finances were so meager. I heard her praying for me and my siblings from her bedroom. She was the most tender, kind-hearted, loving, gentle, caring, and pure woman I have ever known. She was my hero. Her example made me a better me.
The reason why I’m spotlighting her today is to emphasize it’s not the “pearls” – the things, treasures, inheritance or jewelry that matter. Mom had very few tangible things to leave us. But what she left us exceeded anything tangible. She left a legacy that money could never buy. Her influence on me caused me to be honest, to love and care passionately, to put my faith in God during the best and worst of times, to give and to suck it up when I’ve been hurt or offended, to trust in God’s plans for my life and to pass on something so much more than the things that can be bought. Her example of faithfulness and love for my dad during his seven year illness and as a positive, thriving widow at 52 years old, was my example during my husband’s illness and passing.
I intend to leave my children the very best of me……and the very best of me is my precious mother’s example. What are those things that you’ll leave to your children and grandchildren? “Her children rise up, and call her blessed….” Proverbs 31:28 Happy Birthday, my sweet Pearl!
And, guess what! YOU too, are a pearl of great price and God’s treasure. He searched far and wide for you, and He was overjoyed when He 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?