Article January 10, 2000 Issue

Make way for a priceless pearl

Turn irritants into jewels.

By Rebecca Harder

Since I am in the jewelry industry, my clients frequently ask me about the quality and development of pearls. The first stage in the development of a pearl is an irritant. During development, this irritant is enclosed inside the oyster. If it is a natural pearl, it will have been untouched or unenhanced by the human hand. If it has been aided in any way (by adjusting water temperature, salt in the water, and so forth), it will be a cultured pearl.

Once, as I was thinking about these things, I asked myself: when an irritant appears in my life, do I look at it as an opportunity for a priceless pearl to appear? In Miscellaneous Writings Mary Baker Eddy says, "Whatever purifies, sanctifies, and consecrates human life, is not an enemy, however much we suffer in the process" (p. 8).

At one time my life seemed to soar out of control: my business was in trouble, I experienced the loss of a dear friend, and I felt a lack of direction. Then I was introduced to Christian Science by a friend. I was not familiar with this Science but knew immediately that it was my answer. And it was. Since then, I have found that both gratitude and humility naturally bring us great pearls. We have numerous opportunities to develop spiritually each and every day.

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