My daughter, Monique, once began a list titled, “101 things that make me happy and 101 things that irritate me.”

I decided to write my own list and three things instantly came to mind.

Shocked at how quickly I could think of aggravating things, and not wanting to think of anything else that was negative, I stopped writing.

I’m sure that I could think of many more; however, my top three irritants are:

• Lines – long or short

• Spoons stuck in

the garbage disposal

• Something in my eye

Whenever something gets in my eye, it irritates my contact.

Tears, which I usually don’t experience unless something taps into my emotions, form and attempt to wash away the irritant.

In much the same way, when a foreign substance, like a grain of sand, intrudes upon the quiet world of the oyster, the oyster reacts quickly to the invasion.

A substance which lies within the oyster instantly begins to coat the foreign object, resulting in the production of a pearl.

While I admire many gems, pearls amaze me for they were produced inside of a living creature.

Maybe I should take a lesson from the oyster and allow God to transform the irritations that enter my life into qualities that could be admired.

When a trial intrudes upon my life, I don’t want it to just produce pain, I want it to produce a pearl.

I should heed the words of James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Instead of “101 things that irritate me,” maybe I’ll suggest that Monique titles her list, “101 Potential Pearls.”

Looking for the pearl in the problem will surely cause me to look at the trials and aggravations of life in a whole new way.

Made any pearls lately?

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.