Only the best for YOU...

Today I was reminded of a story that someone told me when my heart was broken over a relationship many years ago. It really stuck with me through the years as God gently and not-so-gently at times 'took away' those things that I was holding on to that was hurting me, though many times I would not have acknowledged that.

But wisdom comes with age, so they say, and I know that any person or object or situation that becomes my centre, that takes away the central position of God in my life, has become an idol that must be dethroned for me to discover and live the life He wants for me. And He wants only the best for me, for you...
[***added things I gleaned from story at very end.]

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Jenny's Necklace

Jenny was a bright-eyed, pretty five-year-old girl.

One day when she and her mother were checking out at the grocery store, Jenny saw a plastic pearl necklace priced at $2.50. 

How she wanted that necklace, and when she asked her mother if she would buy it for her, her mother said, "Well, it is a pretty necklace, but it costs an awful lot of money. I'll tell you what. I'll buy you the necklace, and when we get home we can make up a list of chores that you can do to pay for the necklace. And don't forget that for your birthday Grandma just might give you a whole dollar bill, too. "Okay?" 

Jenny agreed, and her mother bought the pearl necklace for her.

Jenny worked on her chores very hard every day, and sure enough, her grandma gave her a brand new dollar bill for her birthday.

Soon Jenny had paid off the pearls. 

How Jenny loved those pearls. She wore them everywhere-to kindergarten, bed and when she went out with her mother to run errands.

The only time she didn't wear them was in the shower. Her mother had told her that they would turn her neck green! 

Now Jenny had a very loving daddy. 

When Jenny went to bed, he would get up from his favorite chair every night and read Jenny her favorite story. One night when he finished the story, he said,

"Jenny, do you love me?"

"Oh yes, Daddy, you know I love you," the little girl said.

"Well, then, give me your pearls."

"Oh! Daddy, not my pearls!" Jenny said. 

"But you can have Rosie, my favorite doll. Remember her? You gave her to me last year for my birthday. And you can have her tea party outfit, too. Okay?"

"Oh no, darling, that's okay." Her father brushed her cheek with a kiss. 

"Goodnight, little one." 

A week later, her father once again asked Jenny after her story, 

"Do you love me?"

"Oh yes, Daddy, you know I love you."

"Well, then, give me your pearls."

"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls! But you can have Ribbons, my toy horse. Do you remember her? She's my favorite. Her hair is so soft, and you can play with it and braid it and everything. You can have Ribbons if you want her, Daddy," the little girl said to her father.

"No, that's okay," her father said and brushed her cheek again with a kiss. 

"God bless you, little one. Sweet dreams." 

Several days later, when Jenny's father came in to read her a story, Jenny was sitting on her bed and her lip was trembling.

"Here, Daddy," she said, and held out her hand. 

She opened it and her beloved pearl necklace was inside. She let it slip into her father's hand.

With one hand her father held the plastic pearls and with the other he pulled out of his pocket a blue velvet box. 

Inside of the box were real, genuine, beautiful pearls. 

He had had them all along. 

He was waiting for Jenny to give up the cheap stuff so he could give her the real thing. 

So it is with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so he can give us beautiful treasure.

Isn't God good?

What are you holding on to, the "fake or the real pearls"?

 

God only wants you to have the best.

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Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible)

 ¹⁰For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

Deuteronomy 31:8 (Amplified Bible)

⁸It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit--depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm].

Psalm 32:8 (Amplified Bible)

⁸I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Jeremiah 29:11 (Amplified Bible)

¹¹For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

John 10:10 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁰The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

 I was so glad that God in His mercy took away the false pearl and gave me that which would work out His purposes in me. I had to realize that the relationship that my heart sought could only be satisfied in One Person and I had to fall in love with Him first, so that I would never demand of another human what only God could satisfy.
Read my story here. (Click on link as the mouse hovers over 'story')

***edited to add things I gleaned from this story:

- Jenny bought the pearls without knowledge of pearls, simply because from the outside it appeared beautiful.  
How often do we make decisions or choices without consulting He Who made all, He Who knows all, based on outer appearances, our limited knowledge?

- Jenny's father waited for her to relinquish the false pearls.  
God is a Gentleman. He waits for us to make that choice.

- Jenny's father had the genuine pearls all along. God had a plan for us before we were born. We just need to get close to Him, submit our lives, so that He can reveal His perfect plan.
What did you learn?