Life Pearls

The book you hold in your hands is a happy little miracle. It began as the random exchanges of two friends trying to better understand their faith. Somewhere in that series of exchanges the Holy Spirit entered and, with deftness of hand, guided us gently into an understanding that this collection of reflections was not meant just for us. It is with great joy that we release this work to you.

As you read, we invite you to open your heart to the Lord working in your life. Take time for your own contemplation. We have provided room for you to write the chapters of your personal story as you read these reflections, and in doing so, it is our prayer that you will come to a deeper understanding of God’s love for you and His ever present guidance in your life. Be blessed and enjoy the journey.

Dr. William A. Kriva

“If you receive the gift, perceive the love...”

I can laugh about it now. Sort of. Let me reach way back into my childhood and share a true story with you. I was the new kid on the block and I did not know many, if any, of the other kids in the neighborhood. One day I met another boy who lived about five houses down and on the other side of the street. We were playing as boys do when they are five or six years old. I do not remember exactly what we did, but I do remember how excited I was to have a new friend.

So immense was my joy! My exhilaration! I decided to express my gratitude by means of a gift to my new friend. An ordinary, run-of-the-mill gift certainly would not do. No, it needed to be exceptional. I thought and thought. I let my imagination run free until I came up with the perfect idea. A brilliant idea! A perfectly brilliant idea! I would make him something. My great idea was to make him a gingerbread man out of clay and sand then decorate it as a wall hanging for his bedroom. I remember my mom very graciously helping me to mix clay and sand, push it into a gingerbread man cookie mold, and bake it in the oven until it was hard. With loving care we then decorated it with glue and glitter and whatever else I thought would impress my new friend.

When it was finished I looked at the gingerbread man in awe. I thought it was the most beautiful piece of art I had ever laid eyes on - not that I had a lot of experience at that tender age, but you know what I mean. It glittered and sparkled. It was radiant. If I would have known who Rembrandt or Picasso were at that age, I'm sure I would have thought them jealous of my obvious talent! It was marvelous! I wanted to keep the little gingerbread man, but I didn't.

I was twitching with excitement as I walked down the street to present this precious cargo to its new owner. I traversed the ground slowly and carefully so I would not drop my package. I could barely withstand the anticipation of presenting this gift to my newfound friend. I walked up to the door and knocked. My friend's mother came to the door. I asked to see her son so I could give him something special I had made just for him. She called for him, and he soon came outside to see me.

I stood there with a big smile and presented the gift. I proudly told him how I had made it myself and that it was a decoration for his bedroom wall. I could hardly breathe as I waited to hear his praise and thanks. What came next, however, looked a little different than I expected. Promptly, he bit the head off the gingerbread man, spit it out, threw the rest on the ground and said, “What a stupid gift!” He may as well have thrown my heart in a meat grinder. I ran away. Hot tears and embarrassment just killing me from the inside out. I ran home to my bedroom, closed the door, and cried for a week. Well, maybe not a week. But maybe.

How do you receive a gift? Really. How about a lop-sided statue of something you do not recognize lovingly created by your very own child? Or that oddball gift from Aunt Gertrude that you just cannot comprehend? Do you give a trite little thank you just to be kind? And how about this, do you turn around and lavish praise on the person who bought you an expensive gift? Just how do you receive a gift?

The greatest gift is not the object you hold in your hand. It is the love that comes from the heart of the giver. You can embrace that love or you can crush the heart in one fell swoop.

A couple thousand years ago a man offered the greatest gift of all. Himself. On the cross. The people crucified Him. They gave Him vinegar to drink. They pierced His side. They shouted insults. They rejected Him and He died.

But that is not where the story ends. Far from it. Three days later He rose up and now He sits at the right hand of the Father. And He still offers the same gift- a loving relationship with Him FOREVER. Free of charge and filled with unconditional love.

Sadly, many still reject Him. How will you receive the gift?

Thankfulness for even the small things is a virtue. There are many seemingly insignificant things in life that are in fact gifts of love. The clean dishes provided by a spouse, the gift of encouragement from a friend, a delicious home cooked meal or a hand made "gingerbread"man for a friend are little expressions of love for each other. If you receive the gift, perceive the love and in so doing, warm the heart of the giver.