There once was an oyster whose story I tell,
Who found that sand had gotten under his shell;
Just one little grain, but it gave him much pain
For oysters have feelings although so plain.
Now, did he berate the working of fate,
Which led him to such a deplorable state?
Did he curse out the government, call for an election?
No; as he lay on the shelf, he said to himself;
“If I cannot remove it, I’ll try to improve it.”
So the years rolled by as the years always do,
And he came to his ultimate destiny – stew.
And this small grain of sand which had bothered him so,
Was a beautiful pearl, all richly aglow.
Now this tale has a moral – for isn’t it grand
What an oyster can do with a morsel of sand;
What couldn’t we do if we’d only begin
With all the things that get under our skin.
– author unknown
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NASB)
“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 (NASB)
by Gordon Kler