01. The Black Pearl - a new thing will be formed.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls"
Read: [Matthew 13:45]
Hi there -- Im Breanna and welcome to the #BlackGirlsPray blog.
I am a student (of Christ), a teacher (of Christ). For many years Ive kept numerous letters and poems for, about, and by Him stored in my head; nervous and afraid that someone would piece them together into my testimony tapestry -- concerned that someone would read my story and make judgements and assumptions about my life. Its taken about 2 years of thinking about it, praying about it, and almost starting -- for my fingers to make these keystrokes and for the black letters to appear one after the other on this screen. Im here to welcome you, to learn from you and to showcase what God's perfect timing, a little grain of sand, and prayer can do for us all...
I spent lots of time (probably too much time) think about what to write about first. If I should introduce myself, talk about my hardships, or dive straight into the word... And because I was unable to decide, I put the whole idea on the back-burner.. until yesterday.
I woke up yesterday morning, thinking about pearls. I'm a sorority girl so i thought nothing of it, until I saw them on the dresser and for the first time wondered about why I wore them. I wondered (i.e God led me to wonder) about why the pearl had been symbolic in my life even when I didn't understand what it meant.
(Also, what you will come to find out about me is that
When I don't know something, I head straight to two places...
The Bible and then.. the Google.)
I learned that pearls are viewed as precious, valuable; and rare. They are the only “jewel” that is the result of a living organism -- growing as a response to irritation and it is removed from its place of growth to become an item of adornment!
In order to understand the value of a pearl, we have to first appreciate how it was formed. You see, a pearl is not housed in an oyster from the beginning... It is actually formed as a REACTION to a state of discomfort experienced by that oyster. More often than not, there comes a time where either a tiny grain of sand or an infectious parasite buries itself within core of the oyster. The oyster has an instant reaction, it begins to form a new thing.
Because the oyster is unable to physically remove the object on it own, layer by layer it builds a strong surface around the object that intruded its hard shell. The oyster spends years in defense mode-- no battle mode if you will; crafting a protective covering over the thing that sparked change initially.
Still a process unable to be recreated by man outside of an oyster, the layers start off dull; and as they build they begin to reinforce each other, the layers (called Nacre for all you knowledge Nancy's out there) become luminous and iridescent. After the oyster has either washed ashore, or is found by harvesters, it is pried open, revealing this new thing.
The purpose of this entire blog/site is to remind our women and girls of the pearl. To remind them of the unexplainable transformations that happen under Gods sovereignty. Although pearls are admired and held in high regard, they would not exist with out the outlier. In the case of the pearl, the outlier could have been one of two things -- a grain of sand, or a parasite.
According to the Psalmist, those grains of sand, are those inspiriting, insightful thoughts sent from God -- too numerous to count. [Read Psalms 139:1-140:1] Those small moments that seem to be uncanny, the moments that make you wonder about His will for your life. God sends many thoughts our way, until one of them actually penetrates the surface. Sparking the formation of a new thing.
In the case of the parasite.. well you know. Sometimes no matter how much sand God sends, they might not get through.... So... He sends a parasite (or several) to invade and intrude our lives. The parasite attacks us from the inside out until there is no choice but to form a new thing.
Either way a new thing will be formed.
During this process, God places layers of protection, care, comfort and love directly on our hearts by way of His son Jesus Christ and their countless teachings. Each layer contributing to the creation of the prized pearl.
Pearls are costly to mankind, and it takes so many to make just one necklace. It's no wonder that the real ones are really expensive. They are certainly priceless and precious to the one who finds them. They must be treasured, protected, honored, and stored with care.
I am here to remind you of their value. I am committed to seeing new things formed in each and every one of our pearls. The pearls that are not displayed in the jewelry store window, the pearls that are not seen in the mainstream. The Black Pearls. Black Pearls are of the rarest of pearls and are of significant value because they are so distinct, so rich in color and so hard to find. When strung together there are rows of wisdom and light; refracting off of one another, adding luster just by resting side by side. The book of Matthew reminds us to hold our pearls tightly and remain cautious when putting them on display as we seek the wisdom of God.
"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." [Matthew 7: 6-8]
Fortunately enough, God has these special pearls tucked away, under his protection until the time where they will be removed from their places of growth and become adornments in His kingdom. In the mean time, lets build layers together.
this is blackgirlspray.