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Real Pearls from God

E. Ken Harmon
Jan 31
4 min read

Getting God's best often means giving up our plastic pearls. What artificial things are you willing to give up for the real thing?

A little girl and her dad were in a store. When they were about to pay, the little girl spotted some plastic pearls. She exclaimed, "Daddy, daddy, can I have these?" Her dad replied, "Sure, baby girl." She went home and played with her pearls all day. Her dad would occasionally peek into her room and just smile. He had never seen his daughter so happy. That night, as he was putting her to bed, he asked, "Baby girl, can I have your pearls?" She replied, "Oh no, daddy. These are my favorite things in the whole wide world." He said, "That's okay, baby girl," and kissed her on the cheek. The next day, she played with her pearls all day. That night, as he was tucking her into bed, he asked again, "Baby girl, can I have your pearls?" She said, "No, daddy. These are my favorite thing in the whole wide world. You can have my favorite stuffed animal." Her dad smiled and said, "No problem, baby girl," and kissed her goodnight.

The next day, he didn't hear the laughter he was used to. That night, when he went to tuck his little girl into bed, she was lying there crying. Confused, he asked, "What's wrong, sweetheart?" She slowly pulled her hand out from under her pillow and offered him her plastic pearls. She said, "Daddy, I love my pearls, but I love you more. So you can have them." With tears in his eyes, he took the pearls. Then he reached into his pocket and brought out a brand new set of REAL pearls. He said, "Sweetheart, I bought these the day we got back from the store. I wanted you to have them, but I also wanted to know you loved me as much as your plastic pearls."

How about you? What plastic pearls are you holding on to?

Plastic pearls represent anything we create or use as a replacement for the genuine article. We frequently replace lasting joy with fleeting happiness.

In my commitment to honesty with you, I must say that my version of plastic pearls was sex, orgies, and porn. These served as a superficial and plastic substitute for the loneliness and emptiness that troubled me for much of my life, until I surrendered it to God. In return, He granted me a genuine relationship, first with Jesus, and from that connection, a beautiful pearl in my wife Tracy.

Matthew 7 says, "if you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

We frequently desire God's best, yet we're reluctant to let go of everything else. What prevents us from surrendering our imitation pearls? Typically, it boils down to four factors: fear, doubt, shame, and pain.

FEAR - Because we lack faith.

DOUBT - Because we lack of confidence.

SHAME - Because of our past mistakes.

PAIN - We have worn our wounds for so long we don’t even know what real peace feels like.

You can hand over your plastic pearls to God, whatever those might be for you, or you can hang onto them. Each person's "plastic pearls" can represent a multitude of things—perhaps they symbolize your fears, your insecurities, or even the superficial attachments and distractions that keep you from experiencing true fulfillment. These pearls can also encompass the emotional baggage you carry, the unhealthy relationships you cling to, or the limiting beliefs that prevent you from reaching your full potential. The choice to release these plastic pearls is a deeply personal one, and it ultimately rests in your hands.

It's totally up to you. The decision to let go or to hold on can often feel overwhelming, as it involves confronting your inner self and the comfort of the familiar. Just to be straight with you, I can't say what'll happen if you decide to let go of your plastic pearls; the journey of surrendering these attachments can lead to a range of outcomes, some of which may be unexpected or even frightening. However, it's essential to understand that this act of letting go can also pave the way for new beginnings, personal growth, and a deeper connection with your true self.

But here's what I do know: "If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always got." This statement rings with truth and serves as a powerful reminder that stagnation is often the result of clinging to the past. If you continue to hold onto your plastic pearls—those things that no longer serve you—you may find yourself trapped in a cycle of repetition, unable to break free from the patterns that have defined your life thus far. Embracing change, on the other hand, can lead to transformative experiences and the discovery of new opportunities that you may have never imagined possible.

Choosing to hand over your plastic pearls to God, or to a higher power, can be an act of faith and trust. It invites the possibility of divine guidance and support as you navigate the complexities of life. By releasing your attachments, you allow space for growth, healing, and the emergence of new possibilities. In this way, you open yourself up to a life that is richer, more authentic, and aligned with your true purpose. The journey may be challenging, but the rewards of letting go can be profound and life-changing.

Regardless of what you decide, this is true, "If you continue to do, what you've always done, you'll continue to have what you've always had."