The Lost Pearl

This past week I learned a valuable lesson about God's love for me.

Bundle up with several layers of clothes and a stocking cap and a hoodie over my head, I took off on my three mile walk.  Even with the twenty degree temperature and several inches of snow and ice on the road, I would tackle the day with whatever was thrown at me.

Before stepping out of the house, I always make sure I have on lipstick and earrings. This morning, I picked the pair of a single pearl with a fourteen gold four prong mounting. These earrings were a gift from my parents about five years ago. 

On my walk, I called a good friend to help me forget the chill in the air. 

With every step, I was careful not to slip on the ice or land in the snow.

Arriving home, I began to peel away the layers of clothing. Looking into the mirror, I noticed my earring was missing from my right ear. In a panic, I began to check my clothing and the stocking cap. No earring!

Losing something, it is amazing how the adrenaline kicks in. After retracing my steps in the house, I knew I needed to backtrack through the snow and ice.

Throwing on my clothes once again, I stepped out into the frigid air. This time I was on a mission. Praying and asking God to direct my path and to help me find my lost earring.

To someone else, the lost of the earring wouldn't matter, but to me it did. Throughout my walk in life, I have learned God cares for me.  He tells me to come before Him with all my concerns.  1 Peter 5:7, says, "Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." He knew all of this would happen before I did. 

God isn't a genie. He wants me to come before him and to allow him to work in my life. What lesson or lessons do I need to be learning? 

I told a few friends about the lost pearl. They were praying, I would find it. Whether or not, I would find it, I had comfort in knowing my life is in His hands and I have friends who care.

I told my husband, trying to find the pearl was like looking for a needle in a haystack or a white pearl in the snow. It is impossible! Luke 18:27, says "What is impossible with man is possible with God."

As I slushed through the ice and snow for three miles, I did not find the pearl earring. I put the lonely pearl earring in a glass case on my vanity. As I looked at it for several days, I knew God was aware of the location of the lost pearl.

For several days, I walked the same path. The days were getting warmer and the wind was blowing. Snow was melting and the water was flowing from the street to the storm drains throughout the neighborhood. Would I ever see the earring again?

On Sunday after attending church, my husband and I decided to take a walk before lunch. As we walked, we talked about the sermon. The preacher spoke about how God owns everythng and we are stewards with what we are given.

The day was beautiful with warm temperature and hardly any snow left on the streets. As we walked past a home, my eye caught a glimmer of gold sparkling off the curb, next to the street. As I got closer, I knew it was my earring. I couldn't believe it. Picking up the pearl, I wiped away the moisture. It was on the same path as the driveway. It wasn't broken. It was perfect.

"Oh ye of little faith."  God reminded me once again, He does hear my prayers and my concerns!