I’m linking up at The Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Friday: Grit.
Oyster pearl © by Anna
Currently there are crumbs on my kitchen counter. I clean them but they come back again. There is dirt on my floors, I sweep and sweep and yet it seems that some grit always remains. It seems this is a never-ending cycle. Finding the dirt, wiping, cleaning, and repeat.
Pearls form when a little grit gets caught in an oyster. The oyster tries with all its might to remove the grit but as it does, instead it forms a valuable pearl.
Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven was like a merchant looking for pearls. Perhaps this means that a little grit is required as we store up treasures for ourselves in heaven. A little suffering, a little unrest, a little patience. A little dirt is essential to turn us into something beautiful and valuable. We are the mushy muscular formless oyster in its hard shell stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to get rid of the grit, but while we do so, a treasure takes shape.
Think of all the cycles of suffering you’ve gone through, each one formed a crown jewel for Heaven. And then another struggle began. Perhaps we need a little grit, a little never-ending cycle, in our lives to turn us into men and women who look more and more like Him, the true Jewel.
So I will sweep my floor and wipe the counters knowing that every single thing I do and every little piece of grit has eternal purpose. Join me, won’t you?
I love this! I totally agree: without grit, pearls can’t form… and look at diamonds! They start as pure grit… and, with fire, are turned into a precious gems. Thank God he sees the beauty through our grit. Glad to find you!
Yes, glad you mentioned the analogy of diamonds too. So glad He sees beauty where we see none!
I’m in. Love this.
Thanks, Chasity!
I absolutely love your take on grit!!
Thank you, Kerri!
What a simple and elegant way to have made peace with daily life…a beautiful analogy….I enjoyed reading it. Thank you for stopping by..I hope you’ll visit again. I know I will.
Yes, I enjoy visiting your blog as well. You have an interesting perspective and voice!
You imagery has really just inspired me.. I have some awesome art and painting ideas from reading your words.
thank you for speaking newness into me.
T
Oh, please share your art with me after you create it! I would love to see it. And thank you. To be an inspiration. How lovely you would say that to me today!
Beautiful post. Love the metaphor –
And for what it’s worth my counter has crumbs too.
Love the pearl analogy! And yes, I am finally to the point in my life where I can look back and see how the struggles have made me beautiful in His eyes.
“We are the mushy muscular formless oyster in its hard shell stuck
between a rock and a hard place trying to get rid of the grit, but while
we do so, a treasure takes shape.” Very well said! My hubby & I often ask each other what could be God’s purpose behind our current cycle of suffering / struggle. We may never know the reason (precisely), but I do hope and pray that we are somehow being made more valuable for Him.
Love it, Jamie!