Oysters of Life

Little Oysters, little Oysters! Oh, the little Oyster. A living, little thing that lives under the sea. Some like to eat them…especially on the half-shell. Not me. The poor little Oyster.

There it is, the little Oyster… one of God’s little creations, minding its own business. Living there under the sea on the ocean floor. Just trying to exist, find food and eat… and is constantly being hunted. It’s constantly being irritated by various things and people.

See, the little Oyster has many layers. When a little speck of something gets under its “skin,” it immediately begins to cover that irritation with layer after layer of its delicate nature, hiding that irritation, rolling it around on the inside. That irritation grows larger and larger. But over time, many years, and with the help of God, that irritation is turned into a beautiful pearl.

That’s kind of like our lives if you think about it. We, too are one of God’s little creations. We, too live our lives just trying to exist. We, too are constantly being hunted and irritated by various things and people.

O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. My foes attack me all day long. I am constantly hounded by those who slander me, and many are boldly attacking me. ~Psalm 56:1-2

And not unlike the little Oyster, we also gather those specks of irritation and cover them within layer after layer of our delicate nature, hiding that irritation. We roll it around on the inside, letting it grow larger and larger.

Yet over time, unlike the Oyster, we suffer through things like depression, anxiety, headaches, anger, sadness, worry, and many other illnesses both physical, mental, and emotional. Sometimes our little irritations cause us such grief that we feel we can’t go on…

But while we go through these little things, over time, they mold us, change us, and when we turn our irritations over to God and trust Him with these things, just like the Oyster, God will turn them into a beautiful pearl.

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning…” ~Isaiah 61:3a (NLT)

He will take those things and show us how to use them to help others who are suffering the same things we once did. Oh, we think we could never be able to help someone else. But let me assure you, once God heals you and brings out your precious pearl, others will see it and wonder. They will come to you, some unknowingly, and you, you little Oyster, will share your pearl…and help another little Oyster find their pearl.

Trust me on this…

What irritation in your life has become a pearl?

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.

Niki Turner says:

November 15, 2012 at 9:31 pm

This is one of my all-time favorite Bible analogies! That "pearl of great price" Jesus compared to the kingdom of God very often begins with an irritant, an attack, or an aggravation of some kind in our lives, doesn't it?
Fear for my children's health drove me to church as a young mother. The enemy tried to use that fear to destroy me, but God turned it into a pearl of faith in my life! Thank you, Shelley, I needed to remember that!

Shelley Wilburn says:

November 16, 2012 at 3:26 pm

Nikki, I think with the pearls we have in our lives, we could string them together and have not only a necklace, but bracelet, anklet, rings, and earrings! But thankful to have been able to have the experience and be able to help others as well, don'tcha think? ;-]