Pearls

When a parasite or some other irritating, foreign object gets inside the shell of certain molluscs, it doesn’t have the ability to expel it. Instead it secretes a calcium carbonate based substance plus conchiolin to encase the intruder. Once the beginning of this layering is underway the mantle on the inside of the mollusc takes over. In time it coats the object with microscopic layers of crystals that produce a tapestry of refracted light and color. The number of layers determines the level of iridescence and thereby the value of the pearl.

What do we do with irritants that get under our skin, as it were? Physically our body’s immune system sends phagocytes (our soldiers) to engulf the antigen (enemy irritant). When successful they prevent disease. When it comes to our relational life we often don’t ‘lovingly cover’ the problem. We may lash out against someone, claw at at the problem or generally attack someone in a way that makes things worse. A better way is to learn from the mollusc to use a plan that builds character. That will produce a gem.

It is worth noting that scientists have not yet succeeded in duplicating the process of producing a pearl of equivalent quality. That defense mechanism remains a prized secret. It is also worth noting that vinegar can dissolve a pearl. Perhaps this tells us how a sour attitude over an irritation can destroy what might have been a gem. Such a reaction to a problem is tough to accomplish but it is worth the challenge to respond with love. “Love covers a multitude of sins”, it says in 1 Peter 4:8. If you can do that, you are producing a pearl.

Keeping on the sunny side,

Henry Wiebe