Happy Birthday, Maggie!

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46 ESV). This year I am privileged to write another “birthday devotional” from our family. Maggie Lynn was born last year on this day and is now one year old! Happy Birthday, Maggie! In virtually every language, Greek (the origin of the name), Hebrew, Scottish, English, and American English, Maggie is best interpreted as “the Pearl of Light.” She certainly lives up to her name! While Mary and I have not been able to spend as much time with her because of our being in Tennessee and she being with David and Becca in Texas, we FaceTime. She has a way of lighting up the screen when she smiles and “talks” to us. The meaning of her name brought me to our reading today for some encouragement and inspiration. Perhaps we should begin with how pearls are made. A tiny bit of sand finds its way into an oyster and it begins to work the stone covering it with calcium and other minerals that it becomes a beautiful, smooth, shiny pearl. Pearls are very valuable and completely unique. No two are alike. They are certainly priceless and precious to the one who finds them. It is interesting that the only way to obtain a pearl is through the death of the oyster. Those who gather the oysters must take them from their natural habitat, break open their protect shell, and kill them. Jesus tells us our reading today of a merchant looking for fine pearls, and how this is similar to finding the Kingdom of Heaven. When you find the Kingdom of Heaven, your salvation is like a precious pearl. There is nothing more valuable than security for your eternal life. Just as in the parable when the merchant found just one pearl, he sold all he had to purchase it. Likewise, when you discover the Kingdom, it is worth everything you have to give up because you gain eternity with the Lord. The greater news for us is that Jesus produced the “pearl.” Even if we could have found this pearl, we could not have bought it. Only Jesus could do that; and he did. His death on the cross secured the pearl of eternal life for all men. I can now see pearls in a different light. Maggie has given me even more appreciation for these wonderful jewels. Happy Birthday, Maggie!