About Me
- Precious Pearl
- Here I am 44 years old and my life is just beginning or so it seems. I am finally going after my dream ... writing from my heart. Writing is one of my passions ... I love to be moved by and move others with words. Who knows what a well spoken or in this case well written word might do for another person. To touch the heart of another through the written word is the opportunity to change a life. I pray that as I write from my heart another's heart may be healed, filled with joy, and perhaps even transformed. God is at the center of every word and He alone has the power to transform a life.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Celebrate Life Before Death
Would you do me a favor? If you are my true friend and you really love me? Celebrate me before I die. No really, I mean it. I will appreciate a tribute much more if I can hear it. Now, I’m not saying that I am looking for praise and accolades but if I have touched your life or made a difference in some small way … tell me now.
It’s sad … no, it’s more than sad … it is pitiful that we celebrate people more after they die than we do when they are alive. I recently went to a funeral where they paid tribute to a great man but being dead he wasn’t there to hear it. Why is it that we celebrate and pay tribute to people after they have died? There is no doubt that it would be much more appreciated if you told them how they touched your life before death takes them into eternity and the only people that get to hear it are those that they left behind.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear what people thought of you now … right now? How you touched a life today? One of my favorite things to do is celebrate people. Celebrating other people is something that should be done with excellence and more than just gifts … we should celebrate them with our words. Writing a tribute to someone that you love is one of the greatest gifts that you can give them while you and they are alive.
When was the last time that you told someone how special they are to you just because they are a part of your life? When have you ever told them that their smile makes your day a little brighter? Or their laugh makes you want to giggle with joy? Or that when they walk into a room it still takes your breath away? And, why haven’t you told them?
Death comes so softly at times ... it sneaks into the room and takes that which you thought would be there for yet a little while longer. At that moment, it becomes too late to tell them that they made your life worth living or that they are the best friend you ever had or that you are so glad that they are your sister or you are proud of them for growing into a wonderful person. Don’t wait until it’s too late and live with the regret of saying nothing.
So, if you don’t mind … if you would please ... celebrate me before I die and celebrate them too.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Hidden Treasures
Do you look for the hidden treasures, simple pleasures in your marriage or in your life? I didn’t until one day recently, as I was having a pity party for myself, … the Lord asked me that same question. As He asked, I answered … painfully … “No.” No, Lord … I look at what I don’t have and what I don’t like about my marriage and myself. No, Lord … I look at what bothers me about my husband. No, Lord … I look at what I don’t like about being a stay at home mother and a wife. Am I being too “real” for you or can you relate to that place? Be honest, if you dare.
So, I found myself being challenged because He showed me that I needed to look at the hidden treasures, simple pleasures that everyone has but they very seldom take the time to meditate on. My problem, I had gotten so used to looking at the “half empty glass” … I had to make a conscious effort to see the “half full” one. He reminded me of His word, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Phil 4:8) So, I took Him at His word and I did just what it said.
I thought about my husband … the hidden treasures … those things that I love about him. The gentleness and sweetness of his goodbye kiss in the morning. The way he encourages me in the desires of my heart. His strength. His uncompromising stand when it comes to the Word (even when it irritates me). The way he plays with our daughter and tickles her until she laughs that deep belly laugh even though he’s exhausted after couriering all day in a car without air-conditioning in ninety-five degree weather. I love to watch him worshipping God with hands lifted high and a humble heart.
I thought about the simple pleasures of being married … being held tightly in the middle of the night or when I need comfort. The comfort of snuggling and feeling secure knowing that we are “One Flesh”. The pleasures of playing hide and seek with our daughter, knowing that without us there would be no her. The silly fun of drawing smiley faces on our fingers and giggling like children because we are giving each other finger kisses.
I thought about the joy I know in having a marriage not without trial but which is securely rooted and grounded in the promises of the Word. I thought about the hidden treasures of knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am loved both by my husband and my daughter unconditionally. I thought of the joy I feel when I lie in bed with my husband and my daughter and we say our good night prayers. I thought about every morning when my baby girl calls for me and comes running to our bed, expecting and knowing that we will spend time just lying there cuddling, playing, praying and reading our Mother/Daughter devotional.
I thought about the simple pleasure of making things nice for my family. The more I thought … the more I recognized … the more of the hidden treasures, simple pleasures God revealed to me … they had been there for me to discover all along. No longer, did I see my glass “half empty”, not even “half full” but overflowing!!
So, when the laundry is piled high, the house needs dusting, the baby is crying, the children are fighting, you are angry with your husband (you can’t remember why), and you don’t want to be married and you think that you are a lousy wife and mother. Ponder in your heart those hidden treasures, simple pleasures and REJOICE!!!
So, I found myself being challenged because He showed me that I needed to look at the hidden treasures, simple pleasures that everyone has but they very seldom take the time to meditate on. My problem, I had gotten so used to looking at the “half empty glass” … I had to make a conscious effort to see the “half full” one. He reminded me of His word, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Phil 4:8) So, I took Him at His word and I did just what it said.
I thought about my husband … the hidden treasures … those things that I love about him. The gentleness and sweetness of his goodbye kiss in the morning. The way he encourages me in the desires of my heart. His strength. His uncompromising stand when it comes to the Word (even when it irritates me). The way he plays with our daughter and tickles her until she laughs that deep belly laugh even though he’s exhausted after couriering all day in a car without air-conditioning in ninety-five degree weather. I love to watch him worshipping God with hands lifted high and a humble heart.
I thought about the simple pleasures of being married … being held tightly in the middle of the night or when I need comfort. The comfort of snuggling and feeling secure knowing that we are “One Flesh”. The pleasures of playing hide and seek with our daughter, knowing that without us there would be no her. The silly fun of drawing smiley faces on our fingers and giggling like children because we are giving each other finger kisses.
I thought about the joy I know in having a marriage not without trial but which is securely rooted and grounded in the promises of the Word. I thought about the hidden treasures of knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am loved both by my husband and my daughter unconditionally. I thought of the joy I feel when I lie in bed with my husband and my daughter and we say our good night prayers. I thought about every morning when my baby girl calls for me and comes running to our bed, expecting and knowing that we will spend time just lying there cuddling, playing, praying and reading our Mother/Daughter devotional.
I thought about the simple pleasure of making things nice for my family. The more I thought … the more I recognized … the more of the hidden treasures, simple pleasures God revealed to me … they had been there for me to discover all along. No longer, did I see my glass “half empty”, not even “half full” but overflowing!!
So, when the laundry is piled high, the house needs dusting, the baby is crying, the children are fighting, you are angry with your husband (you can’t remember why), and you don’t want to be married and you think that you are a lousy wife and mother. Ponder in your heart those hidden treasures, simple pleasures and REJOICE!!!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The Legacy of A Child
What legacy are you leaving? No really, what are you doing that will make a difference beyond today's reality into the dreams of the future?
We all think and maybe even say, "I want to leave a legacy ... I want to make a difference." but, if you are like me the next question is, "How? What? When?" Here I am ...not where I thought I'd be, doing nothing that I thought I'd be doing and wondering if I even make a difference. Am I, making a difference?
And then, I look into the face of my precious little girl and realize ... I make all the difference in the world. I am leaving a legacy in the form of my daughter. If you have children or even if you don't ... if you will but get involved in the life of a child, take an interest in who they are now and who they will become ... you are making a difference.
I hate to use a cliche but our children are the future. They are the most valuable, influential, long lasting legacy that we can leave. Why aren't we willing to invest in them like we do our corporate jobs or personal business ventures? Why do we sacrifice our children on the altar of personal ambition or selfish desires? Why do we destroy the very thing that we say we want to leave... a legacy? There is no greater legacy than that of a child ...strong, secure, and loved.
Our children are our legacy for the future and the only hope for the generations yet to come. It is our job to train them, teach, lead them, guide them and keep them safe. One word of encouragement ... one hug around the shoulders ... one small gift from the heart can turn the heart of a child toward victory. You can instill in a child the ability to dream, to hope and the promise of a future ... we have so much to gain ... and nothing to loose. Haven't we lost too much? How much more are we willing to let go and ignore before we stand up and say enough? Our children are either killing each other or killing themselves! Isn't anybody alarmed by that? What can we do to stop the downward spiral of our future? Invest in our children ... invest in our legacy.
We all think and maybe even say, "I want to leave a legacy ... I want to make a difference." but, if you are like me the next question is, "How? What? When?" Here I am ...not where I thought I'd be, doing nothing that I thought I'd be doing and wondering if I even make a difference. Am I, making a difference?
And then, I look into the face of my precious little girl and realize ... I make all the difference in the world. I am leaving a legacy in the form of my daughter. If you have children or even if you don't ... if you will but get involved in the life of a child, take an interest in who they are now and who they will become ... you are making a difference.
I hate to use a cliche but our children are the future. They are the most valuable, influential, long lasting legacy that we can leave. Why aren't we willing to invest in them like we do our corporate jobs or personal business ventures? Why do we sacrifice our children on the altar of personal ambition or selfish desires? Why do we destroy the very thing that we say we want to leave... a legacy? There is no greater legacy than that of a child ...strong, secure, and loved.
Our children are our legacy for the future and the only hope for the generations yet to come. It is our job to train them, teach, lead them, guide them and keep them safe. One word of encouragement ... one hug around the shoulders ... one small gift from the heart can turn the heart of a child toward victory. You can instill in a child the ability to dream, to hope and the promise of a future ... we have so much to gain ... and nothing to loose. Haven't we lost too much? How much more are we willing to let go and ignore before we stand up and say enough? Our children are either killing each other or killing themselves! Isn't anybody alarmed by that? What can we do to stop the downward spiral of our future? Invest in our children ... invest in our legacy.
Teachers should be one of the highest paid jobs in the country. Daily they invest in our children and take on the responsibility that should only belong to a parent ... discipline, teaching and training. Thank you to all of the teachers out there who share their lives and hearts with our children. Bravo, you deserve a standing ovation. You are leaving a legacy.
So, what legacy are you leaving? I challenge you ... invest in our children. Teach them, love them, sacrifice for them, play with them, encourage them, discipline them, listen to them ... it doesn't matter if they are your child or even another person's child ... the children whose lives we touch are the only legacy worth leaving. Invest in a legacy that will last ... our hope, our future, our children.
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