{Day 61}

Ridges form into hard gritty lines one after the other on the shell clasped tightly together.  This creature’s appearance is much like the environment it lives in with sand curves left by the outgoing swells of liquid on the beach.  A crusty exterior to protect the soft insides.  Yet often as hard as it tries to keep out what it doesn’t want in it still fails.  One tiny speck of sand barely visible to the eye pierces the soft flesh.  It rubs and irritates the poor animal who secretes nacre to wrap the pain up and take it away.  Layer upon layer of glimmering tears encase the foreign substance.  Eventually a luminescent drop of light lies in the oyster. A brilliant pearl resulting from suffering.  I have been through some pain and I know many others who have gone through far more.  Perhaps you?  We didn’t ask for it and we even asked that it wouldn’t come but it did.  Yes it was or is painful but it can turn into something incredible that only comes from the trial.  No one may ever see it but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.  God turns our trying circumstances into something that we can marvel at.  If you are in pain right now I am grieved for you.  Yet there is hope.  There is a priceless gem being formed in you if you are willing.  I always need to be reminded to not waste the difficult parts of my journey.  It is an opportunity to find great value.  A priceless treasure.

{Photos by: Jenn Lynn Images}

{Styled by Karen}