YOU are Someone's Answer to Prayer!

I think it's safe to say that we all place value on belonging; we all want to be accepted, valued, loved and considered. We all want to have the sense of knowing that we are important and special to someone else. But, many of us have suffered from looking for such relationships in the wrong places. In High School, some of us may have tried to get approval by going against the grain; by rebelling against our parents and teachers- making choices that we'd much rather forget. In college, maybe the trend continued, or maybe, we poured ourselves into trying to find romantic relationships, our studies and our friends- not interested in letting other people into our small circle. Maybe that's not your story, but odds are, you know the pain of wanting to belong. You know the strain of hoping to be accepted and included, with no ulterior motives and no strings attached.

In my life, this has been the cause of many tears on my pillow; it has been my hearts cry through out my high school and college years and, though I am an adult now, it still pulls at my heart strings when I notice others who feel on the outside and want to be grafted in to a group- any group- that might have even an inkling of interest in them, because I understand. I understand how important it is to be apart of something or someone that we deem to be great. But if pursuing such relationships is our focus, we could be in danger of overlooking how pivotal our lives can be in adding value to others.

In Christ, there are no outsiders. There is only love and all are welcomed and included. There is no one who is too cool, too important or too good. We are all valued and held in high regard, because Christ loves us, just the way we are. I've never known so much acceptance before I met Christ, and now that I am in Christ, I see Him pour love and friendship freely into my life, through other people and for other people. And I am honored to receive and give in such a manner, not just with my friends, but in my family, in my community and in my world. I am blessed to have Pearls of Hope to pour myself into, but more importantly, I am blessed that what I pour out is not in vain. 

Pearls of Hope is not a clique. We are not an exclusive club or a secret sisterhood. We are just regular girls who followed God's love and accidentally bumped into each other along the way. We share more than casual laughs on a Friday night. We share each other's lives. We pray for one another, because we care. We pitch in to help those in need, encourage each other to believe in who God says we are and we hold each other accountable to be our upmost best out of truth and love. We're not perfect, but we trust a perfect God and He says that we belong!

This past month, we've received 2 emails from girls we've never met, who have expressed a longing to find friends who are focused on God. Neither of the authors of these emails live in North Carolina and they shared how much they wished they could find a place where they belonged. Maybe they are not alone in their feelings. Maybe, underneath it all, we just want to belong; we just want to feel loved and important. And you do! You do belong- regardless of your past, your present or your choice in future. You have a special place in Christ, if you only allow Him to produce His love in you and live in obedience in your life. I promise, the results are incredible and Christ will begin to send people your way who will encourage and support your efforts in Him!

All of us, at one time or another, felt alone. We have all felt overlooked, misunderstood and have even struggled in our Christian walk, but God knows that "it is not good for man to be alone" (Gen. 2: 18). And so, in this life with Christ, success comes when we live life corporately, not individually. God began to bring the right people at the right time and it has been a blessing that we hope to continue to share with anyone who is interested in joining us! We are friends, not because we have some secret recipe; not because we've grown up our whole lives together or even because we just have so much in common. No, our friendships are based on the one true fact that Christ loves us all and has given us a love to share with each other and with the entire world, no matter who and no matter what!

If you are still searching for a place to belong, I'd like to challenge you to pray and ask the Lord to give you friends with whom you can enjoy and encourage. Ask for guidance in choosing the right people to be apart of your life- people who will encourage you to do and be the best that you can be and people who will push you forward, not hold you back! There are so many individuals who are praying for a friend like you to enter their lives! YOU are someone's answer to prayer! Don't doubt the importance that your life brings or the impact that you can create just by walking into a room. I promise  you, you are so special, not because of what you do or who you associate yourself with, but you are special because of who loves you, and that is Christ!

Love others and let God's love shine through you! Be a friend and look for opportunities to be friendly! There is so much good we can all do in the world, but it first starts with seeking God to connect us with people that we can grow, love and learn with. No one is an island! It takes a team... a tribe, and that is what makes the journey so incredibly wonderful and fun!

Have fun, make friends and have faith!

~Pearls

Who Am I?

It's an age old question and trend. "Who am I"? Individuals travel the globe to 'find themselves'. People change religions, change careers, and even change spouses to discover or re-discover themselves. There are quizzes one can take, quotes to inspire you, millions of books and self-help seminars on the matter, songs and more songs, there are even coaches you can hire to help you answer the question: "who am I?".

In 2013, the Huffington Post published an article, Finding "Yourself". I thought it curious that the word, 'yourself' was in quotations and it made me wonder... Those who are seeking themselves are doing so from the perspective that they must create themselves. But scripture tells us that not only were we created by God, for God (Romans 11:36), we were also already created with a specific assignment and destiny to fulfill within our lives (Joshua 29:11). No re-inventions necessary!

As I began to read the article, a young woman explains that, in order to find one's self, one must not allow anyone else to interfere in your self-seeking process. Instead, you must consider your wants, create dreams that will satisfy you, and avoid those who will not support your decisions. Of course, the article wasn't written so candidly. Actually, it was an amazing article! It was well written and well thought of. The author gave some amusing examples and some very positive suggestions. But the truth and issue of the matter is that, much like the books, the songs and the quotes on the subject of Self-Discovery, it's all about you.

The problem with this take on life is that it opposes the Word of God. Our God celebrates community. He is a relational God who has commanded His church to stay connected with each other (Romans 12:4-5), to inquire for wisdom and godly council/advice from others (Proverbs1:5) and to seek direction that is pleasing to The Lord (Psalms 32:8-9).
Our culture tells us that we should be independent, considering our needs first, deciding what is best for us and pursuing what we want, without regard to others. It is a social norm, expectancy and a generally accepted belief that you will be a happier person if you do things your way, for your pleasure and for your own fame. But, if that is truly the case, then why are there so many of us who are unhappy and without true identity, constantly searching for ourselves and for our purpose in this life?

In the scriptures, Proverbs gives us the solution to the problem of Self-Discovery:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

-Proverbs 3:5-6 

You see, our lives are too grand and to delicate to be trusted within our own care. When we give our lives to God and put our trust in Him, the way in which we should go and the person that we were created to be becomes so clear. Our existance isn't accidental, and our lives are not made without order. Scripture says that God is the Alpha  and the Omega- the beginning and the end of all things and He has already created those plans for you! Many of us miss it because we're asking the wrong questions and walking shambled paths that we have tried to create and layout for ourselves. I wonder, if instead of asking, " Who am I?", what if we began to ask, "Who are you, Lord?", because the answer of our
identity lies in the knowing of our God! In Him
lies all the answers and all of the wisdom and all of the plans for our lives. When we look into ourselves, we have uncertainties, but when we look to Heaven, and seek the word of God, we find truth that is applicable to all of our questions. We are limited. He is limitless. We are inconsistent. He never changes. We make mistakes. He never fails. We ask the questions. God has the answers.

Let me end by challenging you all to stop looking inward, and start looking upward. The Lord has great promise for you, but you have to trust Him in who He is, what He says and where He leads. I promise you, if you follow Him, you will never get lost! He knows the way, because He made the path! As you grow closer to His heart, you will begin to discover yours in the process!

Your true identity is in Jesus! Follow Him!

~Pearls