I wrote my book, “
Bury Me with my Pearls” from a personal journey using the analogy of a pearl. The book grew out of a chapter about forgiveness entitled, “The Dark Pearl.” Here is an excerpt from the chapter addressing forgiveness:
We all dread those times when a dark pearl is added to our strand of beautiful creamy white pearls. We don’t want to put that particular pearl on our priceless strand, but ironically it can become the most valuable one of all. Its value depends on how we use and display that particular pearl. It can be a treasure or a tragedy. You can allow one lousy choice or childhood incident dictate the rest of your life.You may choose to blame people or circumstances and allow that pearl to identify you.Your dark pearl may be produced by a variety of irritants: the death of a lovedone, betrayal, divorce, unfair treatment, abuse, or financial ruin. Only one out of every ten thousand pearls becomes a dark pearl, so its price is steep. Can you find value in this rare treasure or will you allow it to devalue your life?
The message of forgiveness was taken to a new level at the National Speakers Association Annual Convention last week when I heard Immaculée Ilibagiza’s story. Immaculée survived the Rwandan Holocaust and through the power of her faith in Jesus Christ, lived to tell her story. Her book entitled, Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust set the tone for the entire convention. Immaculee’s family was brutally murdered during a killing spree that lasted three months and claimed the lives of nearly a million Rwandans.
For 91 days, she and seven other women huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor while hundreds of machete-wielding killers hunted for them. Holding a Rosary that belonged to those who risked their lives to protect her, Immaculée spoke of the blessings when we choose to forgive even under the most horrendous of circumstances.
Buy this book; it will bless you.
