A String of Blessing Pearls

Lynn

Quite a few years ago now I belonged to a prayer group in a Nelson parish. I loved the time spent in prayer and praise but always felt bereft when I could neither speak in nor interpret tongues along with everyone else and I didn't seem to have any special 'gifts'.

A dear friend, Anne, was dying of cancer so we called a special meeting to pray for her. It was during this quiet, intense time of prayer that the picture of an oyster in its partly opened shell came vividly into my mind. It was writhing in pain from the grains of sand that seemed to be attacking it. Then suddenly it opened to reveal the most beautiful glowing pearl.

Needless to say, I was stunned. I thought I'd drifted off to sleep so was hesitant to speak out.

When l finally shared my vision/dream we understood that God was showing us that Anne, in bearing her pain so patiently, was being perfected and transformed into a beautiful, perfect pearl ready for heaven! She died soon after our meeting.

Our priest expanded this group experience at her funeral which he later told us brought some comfort to her husband and family.

I praise God for His gift at that time and the gift of a dear friend.

I had written a note telling her I was pregnant with our sixth child and was struggling to accept it. She answered, despite her suffering, urging me to say as Mary had done in her simple fiat, ‘I will it, Lord.’

The weak certainly can confound the strong as the saying goes.

God blessed us with a beautiful daughter whom we named Gabrielle.

I still cannot pray in tongues but have a heart full of gratitude for all His gifts and blessings in my life. A true string of blessing pearls.