Pearls are formed when an irritant such as grains of sand or floating food works its way into an oyster or clam. The oyster or mollusk has a protective layer to protect its organs from these uninvited visitors or intruders. The oysters protective layer is called the mantle… now that’s interesting. Then as a defense mechanism a fluid from the oyster, squirts or coats the irritant, layer upon layer. This coating is called ‘nacre’ and it is deposited over the irritant until a pearl is formed. Nacre is also known as ‘Mother of Pearl’.

We can draw a spiritual parallel here. The oyster and pearls are a metaphor. We are to be like the oyster that coats the irritants that come into our life, with the ‘nacre’ of God’s love and forgiveness. This is a process that we keep doing, layer upon layer,  until the pearl is formed. We have a mantle from God, to protect us as we bless the irritants and wait for them to become iridescent gems.