THE PEARL // 2021 I took a walk on the beach nearly every day in November of this year. About halfway through the month I began to happen upon the thin mother of pearl linings of shells in the sand... not the rough protective shell, just the fragile pearly inner layer still fully in tact. I ran my fingers over the edges, wondering where the hard exterior went and studying the delicate remnant of the deepest part of a tiny thing that poured its beautifully transparent grit over its pain until it became something beautiful. I’ve been drawn to that thought for weeks and keep coming back to this profound reflection I read about The Pearl: “A pearl does not come about because the oyster “wants” to make it, but on account of an irritant, a wound. As beautiful as we find its translucent, iridescent layers, the pearl is the treasure of suffering, made by the oyster’s bathing a foreign object in the substance of its own shell, lavishing itself on the intruding body, the very thing that gives it hurt. This treasure’s maker does not just ignore the damaging foreign body but, instead, transforms and redeems it.” I know today and tomorrow most people will show their 2020 successes and share hopeful projections for more of whatever next year. I am not going to do that. The word I keep coming back to when I think and pray about 2021 is “pearl.” It is the refining, vulnerable, gritty, and ultimately rewarding journey towards a treasure that is only created in the secret place—it is the treasure Spurgeon was speaking of when he said “Those who dive into the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls” I was hesitant to share my word for 2021 because I think we are all a little weary from an onslaught of posturing and performative posts and I don’t want to add to the noise. Honestly, I’m only sharing because I know sometimes to be human is to experience difficult things and every now and then we all need reminding that “He makes everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecc 3:11) I hope the new year finds you healthy, happy, and that the next 365 days bring you out of whatever wounds you may have and into a gritty, rare and transparent beauty. Happy New Year’s Eve ❤️