What relationship does the human weakness of ‘irritation’ have to do with the production of precious ‘pearls’? Consider this fact: A natural pearl begins to form inside an oyster’s shell when an uninvited intruder (an irritant), such as a grain of sand or a speck of floating food, slips in between one of the two shells of the oyster. As a consequence, the oyster secretes layer after layer of nacre on and around the irritant. This action by the oyster is ongoing, eventually resulting in the production of a precious pearl. (Cultured pearls are made in the same way.)
 
In like manner, as we permit the Holy Spirit to work freely in our lives, He helps us to know and do what is right in our relationship with others. He also aids us in the recovery and restoration of relational break-downs whenever we irritate others. The Apostle Paul says… “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT). God converts our irritations into pearls!
 
Isn’t it comforting to know that when we unintentionally irritate others in our relationship with them the Holy Spirit is able to produce wonderful outcomes if and when we accept responsibility for our wrong-doing and seek forgiveness and restoration from God and from those we’ve harmed? His love covers our sins!
 
That’s exactly what resulted from my most recent failure at my B&B lodging at Perth. As soon as I did business with God, I was able to get things right with my victim. The results? Inner peace with God, and peace with my former victim was restored! In fact, the victim, now my friend, bent over backward to attend to my needs while incarcerated at the lodging (Grocery shopping, breakfasts, offer to wash my clothes, and waiving the normal charges for airport conveyance!)  Wow! With such loving attention, I may not feel like leaving my B&B Shangrila.
 
Friends, sincerely, it deeply saddens me whenever I upset others – that’s never my heart’s intent. But in my natural state of weakness, occasionally, failures result. However, the Holy Spirit miraculously leads us into deeper joy with Him and others when we invite Him to initiate His restoration power. By His mercy and grace, the Holy Spirit can produce spiritual pearls from our irritation tendency, pearls that can be proudly worn to promote the goodness, grace, and glory of our Heavenly Father. Undeserved and by His grace, how blessed I am, my necklace is formed by many costly pearls.