Dime Store Pearls...

No... we're not still in Salt Lake.

Since our move, we've had a few PC "issues" to say the least. Mine works, but all of a sudden (literally just one day) I can't connect to the internet. Which means I can't upload any pictures. Which means I can't finish our vacation and get on with everything else!!! So... I have to hop over to the laptop to connect to the outside world.

That being said... I did want to share a story that our Bible study leader read the other day. While this is not a post about what the kids are doing these days, this is something I hope they will look back in their baby books and read one day. It really hit home to me, and I hope they can appreciate the meaning as well.

It's long, but worth the read...

(Author unknown)

The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

"Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?"

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for you. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores, and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents.

On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill, and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere-Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy, and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"

"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."

"Then give me your pearls."

"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess - the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."

"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"

"Daddy, you know I love you."

"Then give me your pearls."

"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."

"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you," And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling, and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.

What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"

Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her Daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.

He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.

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Hit me right square in the noggin'. How many times am I so wrapped up in 'junky stuff' that I just can't let go of? How many times have I heard the gentle (and not so gentle!) "My child... let go." LET GO. Why would I not want to give up my 'junk' for God's treasure - His PROMISE of treasure?? Easier said than done, I guess. That would mean letting go of control, pride, jealousy, bitterness, hurts, and many more. Seems like a no-brainer, especially as I know first hand the treasures I have already been blessed with. But it is such a part of my human nature for me to tell God, 'No, I would rather worry. I would rather be hurt. I would rather be consumed with guilt or bitterness or anger. I would rather chase after a second of earthly relief or pleasure than to receive your Heavenly treasures. Really God, I can handle it. I don't need your mercy right now. I don't need your forgiveness, and I sure don't need your grace. I've got it all under control."

REALLY?

My sweet (and very forgiving) family can tell you how well that's worked out for me.

I am so thankful that I'm learning to let go. I'm so thankful that God pursues me daily and reminds me... asks me... BEGS me to give it to Him. Some days, the load is light. Some days, I bring in the moving vans. It's such an uneven trade, to say the least, but God doesn't mind.

We've had a pretty crazy last couple of months. I know the 'junk' I have been trying to contain and trying to control has oozed out for my kids and husband to see. I'm not proud of that. But I'm thankful that that scripture reminds us that God's mercies are 'new every morning.' A pretty awesome thought to wake up to.

Our kids are still little, but I hope we can instill in them early that it's not worth hanging on to the pearls that turn your neck green... so to speak. God wants our junk. Give it to Him, my sweet babies, and may you be abundantly filled with His treasures.