Knots: They show up in myriad ways.
Accusations. Crippling rhetoric. Foundations, seemingly crumbling.
And then, my own vengeful thoughts, silting over with toxic sludge. I read the news and frustration stifles compassion.
Grief as well as grievance chafe. The combined grit penetrates my protective shell.
Where, oh where are the pearls of wisdom?
In childhood
the sandbar rose
like a tableland catching
the light — a rough altar
under the water, framed
by acres of menacing
milfoil, leaning
ever more westward,
awash in the current.
Only once did I find shells on that sandbar: enclosed emblems of mystery. To a kid raised on fairy tales, shells meant pearls. And pearls meant CA$H!
Daydreams ensued. Then died.
Shells, by one definition, are empty things.
Human opinion may likewise hinge on mere wish. Trying to fathom our shifting culture my hopes falter, emptied by doubt. Or stymied by fear. Clear reasoning gives way to knots.
Knots, however, by one definition, attest to worth.
Unlike artificial pearls, the real ones are fragile, so jewelers painstakingly knot them, individually, on a strand of silk. This way they don’t abrade each other, growing dull or partially crumbling to powder.
If the thread breaks, a single bead drops away, leaving its neighbors intact.
Practicality
guards the precious
via the strategic twist.
What if knots are a form of grace?
“[Christ] is before all things,” Paul wrote, “and in him all things hold together.” No matter how different they are.
Bona fide pearls also vary, in shape and color. And, like enduring belief, the imperfect gems epitomize patience. Boundaries imposed from within produce an eventual radiance.
Did you know that the knots lovingly tied between pearls were once reliable proof that the gems were authentic?
Unfortunately, these days wily vendors intersperse knots among fakes. A small test exposes the sham. Genuine pearls, slightly sandy in texture, sound different when rubbed together.
Oh, for a thought life that sounds different — one that resonates with love.
No mental wallowing in toxic sludge. Tenderly hemmed in by faith’s small protective ties, we can, if we choose, embody God’s strategic wisdom.
Yes, divisive thoughts still surface. But author Brennan Manning heartens me as he bemoans his failures to effect lasting personal change:
“Intellectually I was constantly trying
to think myself into a new way of living
instead of loving myself
into a new way of thinking.”
Might he mean, in part, that trusting the knots God lovingly ties around us will, ultimately, reveal a more luminous authenticity?
Little by little, I’m seeing how our Maker pinpoints the various bits that carry a shine, then lovingly arranges them, showing me, the pearl-dreamer-kid still hopeful within — showing us all if we care to pause — how to connect the dots . . .
Any recent Shine Sightings at your place? I’d love to hear about it . . .
Simple tests to identify real pearls
You might also enjoy these posts:
Grace: in media res: (in the middle of things)
Key on Ribbon Photo by Robert Gramner on Unsplash
Bits of Shine Photo by Jodie Walton on Unsplash
silent tears, gratefully falling as I read your beautiful words, Laurie – and the precious words and insight from those who follow you. thank you, all.
. . . and each tear is another pearl . . . taking its place in the strand . . .
So, so good to be ever-knotted alongside. Love you!
The more secular our culture has become, the fewer pearls of wisdom surface on the beach of life, because wisdom comes from God (Proverbs 2:6). Praise God for people like you, Laurie, to whom he has given the gifts of insight and discernment. Interpreting your metaphor in another way, you’ve inspired me to be grace between the pearls around me, as God gives opportunity. Help me, Father, to live aware.
Dear Nancy, as ever, you invite me to think more deeply and more gratefully. Thank you.
On another topic, I need to re-subscribe to your blog as I haven’t received any notifications in my Inbox from you for a while. I’m glad to be reminded today I want to remedy that!
I am glad I read this post today, Laurie
Sue, thank you so much for letting me know. Much appreciated!
Laurie I lost some sleep over this one .lol at first.. (then things after rereading several times ) I started to hear your hopeful understanding of the chaos in our world , it’s hard to understand where the truth lies these days , or hope . I believe with the recognition of each regret we are held in place by understanding and perhaps we’re responsible for strengthening the knots so others can see the way..
There is no shortage of people making decisions based on what they believe to be helpful . Surprisingly not all change is beneficial unless it’s put in our path to teach us regret .. regret are they the knots? all we have to do is search our hearts , struggle through to some form of understanding and purpose .. the knots like regrets if understood keep us and maybe our grandchildren and children from getting the bruises ( see the light ) before they learn the hard way . What a great way to repurpose the pearl string and find the path that Nana lovingly left . Some where out there she is smiling… and what once was troubling you is now the new way of seeing the purpose .. one that brings light and understanding back into your heart if only misplaced for a bit , found through time and careful never ending understanding of His hope for us all…
Thank you again for the pearls and recognition of the knots ..
Larry, I had to pause over your hope-filled lines, wanting to absorb them more deeply:
“I believe with the recognition of each regret we are held in place by understanding, and perhaps we’re responsible for strengthening the knots so others can see the way.”
You express this so winningly. I love that idea of strengthening the knots for the sake of others.
And then, this observation: “… what once was troubling you is now the new way of seeing the purpose … one that brings light and understanding back into your heart if only misplaced for a bit, found again through time and careful, never-ending understanding of His hope for us.”
Patience + Care + Understanding of God’s hope for us = Renewed Purpose. (And perhaps, in the overflow, a shortcut or two for our beloved children and grandkids.)
Now there’s a timely equation for living! Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts. May you catch up on that lost sleep soon. : > )
Lovely, Laurie. Entwining the beautiful with the difficult. You have me a gift today.
Linda Jo, you are so welcome. Thanks for unwrapping it. And how perfect your word choice here, “entwining”: reading this word, I picture the tares growing among/alongside the tender new stalks of wheat — the beautiful and the difficult in proximity . . . and then, the needed time of waiting involved. Thanks for helping me expand my thinking, friend.
Thank you for using your gifts to illuminate the importance of keeping our focus on the real thing- God and His love and grace. I found through Ric’s two brain surgeries and covid lockdown all at the same time that the only way to survive and find joy was to stay focused on Gods Word and His love, mercy and grace…. and the eternity He promised us. Miss you and Bill and the wonderful worship times together and bike rides, train rides and shared meals ….. all the good stuff. ❤️
Sandi, what a wildly wrenching year you two have had! I am so grateful you’ve come through it via “mercy and grace” and hope Mr. Wonderful is recovering gently—and you, as well, for all that was required of you during those long months.
Thank you for the reminder of those good times shared. And now I am thinking about your amazing cooking . . .
So moch to process.
Once again, a timely read.
I could explain much – I won’t.
The grief nor grievance.
Only this…
“Rick, you know better. Re-think. Rather than feeling knotted, be knotted.”
Appreciate your use of scripture in this writing.
Strategicly twisted, (Hey, I like that!)
r
Rick, I am absolutely taking that quote on board: “Re-think. Rather than feeling knotted, be knotted.”
I greatly enjoy your candor, your outlook, and your way with words!
Bless you!
Thank you and wishing you the same!
I, too, will be taking your quote Rick. Rather than feeling knotted, be knotted.
And strategically twisted!
Just chiming in to say how much I appreciate, and learn from, the conversations and moments of community that unfold here.
Me too!
Thank you for the affirmation, Sue.
Bless you.
Thank you for a new idea, “Rather than feeling knotted, be knotted”. It resounds with my heart. The knot is the protection and strength, not the problem. “What man intended for evil, God used for good” I appreciate all the hopeful sharing.
Rick and Roberta, what a blessing to witness the way you’ve both expanded our understanding and outlook and thereby strengthened us!
Rick, once again I read this thread, grateful for the contagious energy and insight that radiate from your statement.
Roberta, thank you for tying in the hope-filled scripture and enlarging the scope.
I’m headed into this day of rest feeling knotted into the strand alongside you both, a huge smile on my face . . .
Thank you for instilling life and hope!
Linda, I am grateful you found a measure of both here. Thank you, thank you for letting me know. May the day before you unfold in ways that hearten and inspire. Even make you laugh aloud!
You bring light to dark places. Again. Love you.
Susan, thank you for affirming my hopes for this blog.
And thank you even more for your luminous presence in my life all these years. Here’s to many more shared hours, connecting the dots . . .