Six Pearls

I’ve been feeling a bit reflective lately. Partly because we are approaching the end of this calendar year, which brought a pandemic and so many other changes in our world. And partly because I celebrated one of those “milestone” birthdays this year . . . I turned fifty, y’all! 

As I looked back on photographs taken during the year, I paused over the photo taken at my 50th birthday dinner. The necklace I wore was one that I received on my sixth birthday. My mom had taken six pearls from the strand she wore on her wedding day and had it made into a six-pearl necklace for me. 

I started to think about what I have learned in these five decades of life and the lessons I’d like to go back and share with the six-year-old girl who received that necklace so many years ago. Here are six “pearls” of wisdom I’d like to offer her: 

Take the Right Kind of Risks

I have always been a responsible, “play it safe” sort of gal, but I’ve learned over the years that we can miss out on some of the adventures that God has planned for us if we aren’t willing to take that step of faith when led by His Spirit. For example, I almost missed the opportunity to date my dear husband because I was worried that it would mess up our close-knit circle of friends if our dating relationship didn’t work out. I’m glad I listened to the quiet voice that whispered, “You’ll never know . . .” in my ear and gave me the courage to go out on that first date with Don.

The Enemy is Real

When I was young, I was naïve about so many things, especially spiritual warfare. As I have matured, I have become more aware of the enemy and his evil presence in the world around me. I am not suggesting that we should cower in fear of Satan lurking around every corner. As C. S. Lewis counsels us, “You can give the devil too much or too little attention.” I have definitely noticed that some sort of crisis always seems to pop up when I am doing ministry work or preparing for a church speaking engagement. Now that I am more aware of this spiritual warfare, I regularly enlist the support of my prayer-warrior friends to go into battle with me.

There is Power in the Name of Jesus

In those times of spiritual warfare, I have learned to call upon the powerful name of Jesus to rebuke the enemy. I’m not talking about a casual, trite profession of “Jesus saves” but a fervent call upon the God of angel armies to banish Satan. When I sense the enemy sowing seeds of doubt and fear in my life, I literally walk from room to room in my home and declare (out loud!) that this home has been dedicated to the service of our Lord Jesus and the enemy has no authority here. 

Obedience (almost always) Leads to Blessings 

Through the years, I have also learned that there are blessings that result from living in line with God’s principles. Maybe not the health-and-wealth blessings that typically come to mind, but rather, peace and the kind of joy that isn’t extinguished by circumstance. I have noticed that when I obey the Spirit’s prompting to give money to a family dealing with unemployment and cancer treatment or to dedicate a day to prepare food for our local homeless shelter, I am often surprised by experiences of abundance and protection. 

(Now, even as I write these words, I am aware of many people who have walked obedient lives and yet still endure unimaginable suffering and sorrow. These are the situations that I am looking forward to discussing with our Heavenly Father when I see Him face to face. I have many “why?” questions that I want to ask Him about the suffering here on earth.)

Becoming a Mom Will Change You (inside and out!)

When I was younger, I had been warned about the ways my body would change when I became a mother: the stretch marks on my skin, the dark circles under my eyes, backaches from carrying infants and toddlers, etc. But I was not prepared for the ways I would change on the inside. While I experience a great sense of purpose in my role as a mom, I also experience profound emotional exhaustion and a sense of unworthiness like never before. Motherhood continues to show me the depth of my own sinfulness and impatience like never before. Not pretty, ladies. I was so grateful for the more experienced moms who counseled me and supported me in those early days. It now gives me great joy, likewise, to come alongside other young moms and encourage them.

His Grace Is Sufficient 

The more years I spend here on this earth, the more I become aware of the lavishness of God’s grace. How I wish I could go back and lighten the load that I had placed on myself when I was younger. I want to press the emergency stop button on the treadmill that I was trotting on, always quickening my step to earn God’s favor and the approval of those around me. I love these freeing words from the devotional New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp:

You don’t work to earn God’s favor; rather your work is a hymn of thanks for the favor that Christ achieved on your behalf. You don’t have to wonder if you’ve worked enough. You don’t have to fear that you’ll mess up and get booted out of the family. 

Moms, I want to point you to that grace that God gives so freely. All the time, not just when you celebrate a milestone birthday.

Which of these “pearls” can you lean into during this new, hope-filled year of 2021?