Problems into Pearls

Many people look at the pearl and think that the pearl is one of the most beautiful jewels of all. I am sure that on Sunday morning, you get dressed, get ready to put on your accessories and think, “What will REALLY make this outfit pop?” You say, “Ah, yes, my pearls!” Yes, they are a precious stones and they can dress up just about anything in your closet. Pair a short strand of pearls with a business suit, or wrap a long strand of pearls around your wrist. Wear stud pearl earrings with your work attire. Pearls create an elegant and womanly look when paired with an evening gown. Opt for colorful, large and long pieces when wearing a solid-color dress, or go for small pearls when wearing elaborately embellished attire. In the evening, wear necklaces, earrings and bracelets in combination. With everyday attire, have a little fun with your pearl jewelry. If you pair a classy top with jeans, add pearls to create a trendy and fashionable look. Choose chunky pearls, colored pearls or layer different strands of pearls. Pearls are the quintessential.

But I am sure that you are not reading this to get fashion tips; therefore, I am ready to give you some Jesus tips. How many of you look at your string of pearls, before putting them on, and stand there thinking about the process that this precious jewel has gone through to set off your outfit? Some of us don’t REALLY know or understand how a pearl is formed, in the first place. All we know is that pearls come from an oyster and that’s about it. I mean, after all, we don’t really NEED to know how pearls are formed to enjoy wearing them, now do we? No, we don’t… but in order to TRULY appreciate them, we need to know the process that they’ve gone through.

Rather than forming in the ground like most gems, a natural pearl begins when a foreign substance slips into the oyster between the mantle, a fold of skin which protects the oyster’s organs, and the shell. This foreign substance irritates the mantle. It's kind of like the oyster getting a splinter. The oyster's natural reaction is to cover up that irritant to protect itself. The mantle covers the irritant with layers of the same nacre that is used to create the shell. The longer a pearl stays in the shell, the more nacre or protective coating, forms and the larger the pearl.

Most pearls that we see in jewelry stores are nicely rounded objects, not all pearls turn out so round. Some pearls form in an uneven shape- these are called baroque pearls. Pearls, as you've probably noticed, come in a variety of colors, including white, black, gray, red, blue and green. Most pearls can be found all over the world, but black pearls are indigenous to the South Pacific.

The two most common types of pearls are cultured and natural. Natural pearls are ones that occur when a small impurity, like a grain of sand, enters the shell of a mollusk, naturally. Cultured pearls are formed in exactly the same way as natural pearls, but the initial impurity is inserted into the shell to start the pearl growth.

In our lives, there are occasions in which problems are going to arise. John 16:33 says: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” As people, that’s the last thing that we want…PROBLEMS! They just cause so many…well…PROBLEMS! There is just no way around it! We will have trouble in this life, but I am here to share with you today how we can turn our problems into pearls.

As I have explained, pearls are formed from foreign substances that enter into the oyster. How many of you have had foreign substances enter into your life? We all have! They are as unwelcome to us as they are to this oyster, because they irritate us, just like they irritate the oyster. Now, the oyster’s natural defense is to cover it up with layers of nacre to protect itself. We humans react the same way. When problems come into our lives, our first instinct is to protect ourselves. When facing trials in our lives, the issue is not the irritant, but what we decide to cover the irritant with? Do you cover your irritant with alcohol, drugs, or sex referred to in 1 John 2:16? Or do you cover it up with the salve of Jesus as referred to in Ezekiel 16:8? A protection of anything other than Jesus, will never produce a pearl of high quality (Matthew 6:25-34). Remember, the longer the irritant stays in the oyster, the more nacre is produced to cover it, the larger the pearl will become. Here I stand to encourage you to not stress about how long trouble lasts. Just continue to cover the trouble with Jesus, because the longer the problem stays in your life and the more Jesus you cover it with, the bigger the pearl you will produce in the end.

When we think of pearls, we think of a perfectly round jewel, but not all pearls are perfectly round. A number of pearls are unevenly shaped and of different colors. The shape of the foreign substance that has entered the shell determines the shape of the pearl, and the location of the body of water from which the oyster was taken, governs the color. So for instance, the foreign substance of my mother being on hospice for about a month now is producing a pearl of a different shape than the foreign substance that has entered your life. The foreign substance that has entered my life here in Maryland has produced pearls of a different color than the foreign substance that has entered your life in Alabama or Georgia. But as Christians, after going through such trials, we can string our pearls together to create a piece, exemplifying God’s glory!

We previously discussed the two different types of pearls, the natural pearl and the cultured pearl. The natural pearl takes place when foreign substances, naturally, enter the shell of the oyster, but a cultured pearl takes place when someone inserts the foreign substance into the oyster. We, too, can develop natural pearls and cultured pearls. In our lives, there are natural troubles that occur such as death, natural disasters, or sickness; on the other hand, there are cultured problems in which people insert into our lives like a child deciding that she no longer wants to be a mother and she drops all five of her kids at your door, an abusive husband, or a person lying and scheming to make you lose your job in order that they can have your position. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” No matter if our lives have been plagued with natural troubles or cultured troubles, we can still develop pearls by covering the problem with Jesus!

Yes, no matter your problems, you can cover it with Jesus! (Romans 8:31)

Sickness…cover it with Jesus

Death…cover it with Jesus

Loss of work…cover it with Jesus

Wayward child…cover it with Jesus

Divorce…cover it with Jesus

Bills are due…cover it with Jesus

Church members gone astray…cover it with Jesus

Church in turmoil…cover it with Jesus

Spirit low…cover it with Jesus

Depression…cover it with Jesus

Problems on the job…cover it with Jesus

Evil in our world…cover it with Jesus

Sin…cover it with Jesus

And if we continue to cover our problems with Jesus, then our problems will become our PEARLS!

He Had to Break me to Build Me

I have told the story many times of losing a baby boy. And I don’t tell the story for pity or for “I’m sorry.” I tell the story because this is the point in my life that caused me to look up and allow God to use me for His glory! This is the part of my life that saved me from sure destruction. I can’t praise God, without allowing myself to think back to the day that my life changed forever thus creating in me a faith that is now unbreakable!

 

There was a time in life when I thought that it was all about the friends, hanging out, partying and having a good time. I was in church every Sunday and Wednesday, faithfully, but there was no substance in my shout. I went only because I knew that was what I was supposed to do. I was doing what my step mother used to call, “playing church.”  I thought I was getting by with my sin, yet, I knew full well that all that I was doing was against God’s will.

Then one day, I found out that I was pregnant out of wedlock. I was devastated and afraid. “How could this happen to me?” I felt like I was caught in my sin! I was embarrassed, and I no longer wanted to go to church, but I went.

My then boyfriend (Antwan Terrell) and I got married and we knew that we were in for a rude awakening, but we were in it for the long haul. We didn't want the baby to grow up without having both of us in the household.

Approximately one and a half month after we were married, I suddenly went into labor, had a son and he passed away 7 1/2 hours after his birth. What a heartbreaking day that was! What a anesthetizing feeling it was to have to plan the funeral of my newborn son! What an unrealistic scene I was experiencing as I sat at the graveside and watched them lower his little wooden box into the ground. “My precious baby!” was all I could mutter! I was not ready for the pain that would ensue the days and months following his death! I was not ready for the heartache that felt as if it would rip my heart out and tear my soul asunder! I was not ready for the sleepless nights that caused me to relive every moment of his birth and burial!

 “God had done this to me!”

“What kind of God could give me something so precious only to snatch it away?”

I was broken!

For a year, I cried at the drop of a hat! I could not see a baby without crying! I avoided the baby section in the store altogether! I was delirious with anger! I felt like life was sucking the air out of me!

I finally got tired of just feeling the pain after a good laugh with a friend one day! I couldn't believe that it felt so good to laugh! I said to myself, “Either you’re going to learn to “laugh” through it or die in it!” I decided to “LAUGH” THROUGH IT! I started going to ladies ministry events! I started visiting friends, again! I made an effort to do fun things!  I LAUGHED, AGAIN and AGAIN! (and I laughed loudly and I continue to laugh loudly)

I began to go to every women’s event I could! I learned so much and I loved so much! My sisters in Christ became my family! During this time a bond was developed! I started to study the word hard and apply it and I started to understand how it applied to my life! I started to not only teach at work, but I started to teach the women’s classes! This was a BIG step for me! I fell in love with teaching the women and dealing with our issues. It brought and it brings such comfort! I love to see the women of the church thirsting after righteousness! I love to help us to get through whatever it is we are dealing with!

Believe it or not, it has been 20 years TODAY and there is still a part of my heart that is missing! But, as I said in my last post, “God Answered, NO!” I praise God for His answer of, “No!” Praise God for His pruning! As much as I miss holding him, kissing him, and just being his mommy, I thank God even more for His breaking me to build me! I still remember that last kiss on his still warm skin, his feet, his hands, his ears! My lips tingle as I relish the memory! 

Had He not allowed me to be broken, I would not have been able to weather the many storms of life that have touched my life throughout the years! I would not have been able to help my friends who have lost little ones to stand and smile again! He built me up from the pieces that were broken! He made me into a woman of God that is sure of her faith in the Lord and who is more than happy to share Jesus with those she meet along the way!

He had to break me to build in me a sure foundation for the fortification of the word of God within me!

HE HAD TO BREAK ME TO BUILD ME! THANK YOU, LORD!

Dedicated to my son, Antwan Chavez Terrell, II.



Happy birthday, my love! Mommy is looking forward to seeing you again in Heaven some day!!!

God Answered, "No"

How do you move on after you've prayed for something so hard and God answers, “no” to your request? I have been faced with that reality several times in the past, but more so, most recently with the death of my friend and sister, Veronica Turner. I realized that after her death that I had not actually thought that she would die. I just knew that God would answer my prayer to heal her body in order that she could remain here with us and especially for her daughter. But His answer was much different than I had anticipated. He took her to be with Him, where she would not have to deal with this cruel world any longer.

The last time I remember praying so fervently was when I had my first born son. I prayed so hard that he would be OK after his delivery, that I actually had no thought that he would actually not survive even though the reality of his critical condition was clear. It was like everyone around me understood the inevitable, while I was living in a fantasy. I knew my baby would be fine, but when God answered “no” and took my baby boy to Heaven to be with Him, I was heartbroken and angry with God for all of a sudden turning His back on me and doing other than what I had requested of Him. It was like a cruel joke that I was not ready to receive.

Have you ever truly had faith in God about a situation and His answer turned out to be something other than what you prayed for? It is truly hard to accept His answer even though you know that God knows what He is doing. After the shock wears off and you start to come to terms with what has taken place, you begin to realize that more than likely, your prayer was selfish. This is how I see my past prayers. I wanted my sister/ friend to stay here so that I would be happy and not have to go through the pain. I never considered all of the pain that she would have to go through in order just to live. Even with my baby, he was so early; he would have had a difficult, painful life, at best. It is no wonder God didn't listen to me. I am just a mere human who looks at things completely differently than God looks at things. I am so glad that He is God and He makes no mistakes. I am so glad that He alone makes those tough decisions.

Even though it is tough living without them, I know God has created in me a strength to endure these painful times. He has taught me about endurance and given me a special ability to help others through such trials of life. Without these types of situations in life, I would not be equipped to help another sister along life’s journey. I am who I am today because of God’s No’s. God’s No’s have developed character in a number of us! We have learned that we can make it through a lot more than we thought we could before His answer of No.

God, thank you for saying, “No,” to me. It has created a faith in You and Your Heart within me that would have never been developed without You having said, “No.” Your grace is sufficient!

Missing My Sister!

 

On last week, I lost a sister and a friend. She was to me, what I hope to be to all of those I meet along the way. She showed more integrity, love, and faith than we do in our health. Even during her health struggles, she prayed for those who were also struggling in different situations and she prayed with those who needed her comforting words. She was what I called a true woman of God.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about being sisters, not knowing that I would be sitting here this week writing about a sister who meant all of those words to me.

Veronica, here’s to you! Happy Valentine’s Day! I love you and I miss you, my sister! Rest in peace and save the mansion next door for me! We will have a lot of catching up to do!

Sister, Sister

When I say the word “sister,” what is your first thought? Is your thought of a sister that you grew up with at your parents’ house, is it your closest friends, or is it the women all over the world who are members of the blood bought institution of Christ? The word “sister” can mean so much to different people. 

When thinking about those who are your sisters by blood, we have fond memories of growing up, getting into trouble together, sharing special times of happiness and sadness, and just being there for each other. This relationship is no doubt special, but this relationship can take you no further than the grave. But a relationship with a sister in Christ can mean that and so much more. A sister in Christ is someone with whom you can share your deepest hurts, your greatest joys, and even the sinful nature of your old self and you can expect her to have your back and help you to make that change in your life through prayer and supplication and heart to heart talks! This sister will meet you in Heaven someday!

I know that I am so happy to have my sisters there for me when I just need a good laugh or when I need to cry! There is no one in the world like a sister. I praise God that I can share this same relationship with my blood sisters and my daughters. It is so beautiful to be able to share in Jesus with people who I have shared my life with and people whom I have given life to. God has provided us with a special bond that no one, not even the grave can take away. Isn’t it wonderful to have women of God, who are also blood relatives, in our lives?

It is so important to keep the doors of communication open with your sister and it is equally important to make sure that when a sister does come to you and share something, that you are not so judgmental that you forget, “¹¹ And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11) It is important to let her know that you understand and you want to help her.

Praise God for my sisters who continued to help me to make right decisions and those who knew I was in sin, yet never looked down on me, but encouraged me to good works by inviting me to feed the hungry, help with the children’s Bible class, or inviting me over for the evening to keep me out of trouble. Have you invited a young sister over to your home lately? She just might need that intimate time with you, her sister, to help to stir her to good works.

Have you told a sister that you love her today? Have you given an “I really love you, girl!” hug to a sister, lately? It feels so good and so right! Praise God for sisters by blood, in Christ, or double sisters, as I call them!!! Think about where your life would be if they were not in it! Can you imagine that? I can’t!

Add the name of special sisters in your life below and pray for her. Each time a new name is added, please pray for all the sisters mentioned above by calling them by name. We want to pile on a portion of spiritual blessings on these sisters that they can’t even explain!

Love you all!

Audaciously Working in the Kingdom!

All My Trials

Sometimes God gives us things and says to us, “Here, hold this!” It might be something that we did not ask for, but never-the-less, we are left holding it. It is hard when these difficult moments in life arise in our lives. We might be left thinking, “OK, I didn’t ask for this, so why do I have to deal with this?” Have you ever thought that the reason you are left holding whatever you are holding is because God trusts you enough to hold onto it and not lose it to the devil? Or that maybe He is trying to build you up in certain areas of your life? It’s like when you have children, you hand the greatest responsibility to the one you know can handle that particular responsibility. Sometimes they might even ask, “Why did you make me hold this?” A number of times with my girls, I am not trying to make them do it because I am lazy, but there is something in them that I want to pull out or I know they will make the best use of it. Sometimes, I make them go through certain things because I see that they are lacking in certain skills.

God allows certain trials in our lives so that God and His will might be magnified. 

Recently, I have been going through some difficult situations in my life and believe me, I do not like it! I have prayed and asked God to remove it, but I believe that He is saying to me, “My grace is sufficient...” (2 Corinthians 12:9) It is rather difficult to be in a situation waiting on God to reveal himself, all to start to understand that this is not going anywhere and I must learn to bear it and trust Him to see me through. I have cried and screamed, but God has determined that it is not His will to lift the trial just yet. I was just thinking the other day, “If God is allowing me to go through this in order to magnify His name, I am honored, but I don’t like it!” It could be that there is someone who will one day be going through the exact same thing and I might be able to help them through it. It’s tough being about the Father’s business! He expects a lot out of us, but in the end we will reap great rewards! I praise God for seeing me as worthy to take on this challenge and I praise Him that through me others might see Jesus. 

Peanut Butter to Keep my Mouth Closed

I am sure that we have all heard it said, “If you don’t have anything good to say, just don’t say anything at all!”  Well, some kids have got this skill down pat. As a teacher, I see so many funny things on a daily basis. I always enlighten my students with this “strange” saying. They never truly understand why, until their feelings are hurt by a “matter of fact” speaking child. (As if it is another language)

One day, we were having snack and a discussion arose among a few students concerning Jesus and death. One student said that she didn’t believe in Jesus, because she didn’t really believe the whole “rose from the dead” story. She said that she did believe in God, though, but “I’m not quite understanding the Jesus thing!” I was rather intrigued by the conversation as I sat at my desk pretending to work on some papers, all the while listening to these little people discussing the perils of life. Another student said, “WHAT?” She said, “Yeah, I think I must be a Jew!” (#blankstare) The other students were trying to be nice, but one of my rather outspoken students told her, “That doesn’t make any sense! How can you believe in God without believing in Jesus?” She said, “Well, I don’t go to church anyway, but I do celebrate Christmas!” My outspoken student, looking rather annoyed and completely unbelieving what he was hearing just stuffed about three to four spoonfuls of peanut butter in his mouth and just looked away sort of shaking his head. Everyone in the group was waiting to see what he would have to say to that. I even stopped pretending to work to hear what he would have to say. And what did he say? Nothing! He said absolutely nothing! The conversation then took a sudden turn in a direction that was not of interest to neither him nor me.

Later that day, when he and I had a moment alone, I asked him why he didn’t say anything to her revelation. He said, “Mrs. Terrell what she said was so stupid! I mean, Mrs. Terrell, common sense tells you that you can’t believe God and not believe in His son! I didn’t want to embarrass her and my mama told me if I didn't have anything good to say, to keep my mouth closed. So, I learned to stick something in my mouth, so I wouldn’t get in trouble. The only thing that I had today was peanut butter and it worked better that anything that I have ever used to make me keep my mouth shut! I nearly got choked, but it worked, so I think I will be using peanut butter from now on to help me to keep my mouth shut!” I was laughing so hard at him I couldn’t breathe!

He doesn’t know what his words said to me that day! He taught me, his teacher, a valuable lesson! If I have nothing good to say, try peanut butter, it’ll keep my mouth closed!