Kara’s story is one of resilience, restoration, and discovering her God-given worth. From a childhood marked by neglect to experiencing deep trauma in adulthood, she spent years believing she was unseen and unworthy. But through an encounter with Jesus and the power of restorative relationships, she learned that she was not forgotten — she was a pearl of great value in God’s kingdom.
Today, Kara walks confidently in her identity, using her experiences to support others. Through Re-Fined’s programs, she helps others uncover the beauty and strength within them.
Read Kara’s powerful testimony of how love, faith, and community can turn pain into purpose.
A Pearl of Great Value
“…the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46
At Re-fined, we are honored to walk alongside many women who have experienced excruciatingly difficult traumas. Along the rocky path of their life, many have lost their value. Others were never aware they had value as abuse happened so early in infancy and childhood while their brains were developing. Layer upon layer upon layer of trauma and abuse bury the Truth that we humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and as such, have tremendous value.
Hello, my name is Kara, but Jesus calls me Pearl. A pearl, unlike other precious jewels formed underground, is formed in saltwater when a tiny irritant enters the shell and attaches onto the oyster. At this point a process begins upon which layer upon layer upon layer of calcium carbonate (the substance found in rocks) coats the tiny irritant, and, in time, forms a pearl!
I never knew I was a Pearl. As an infant and developing child, I experienced neglect. I learned to stay low, unseen, and unheard within the family. Fast forward into my adulthood and many traumas later, my life changed forever one cold night in 2014. Jesus met me in a way that I never knew Him. Sitting in a chair, attempting to absorb some devastating personal news, I suddenly got up and laid face down on the floor. With every ounce in me, I blurted aloud to God asking Him to take ALL of me. No turning back.
This last 10 years has been an incredible, eye-opening journey discovering God’s love and value for me, a value that no one, not one person, can take away. My value is secured in the Truth that I am a loved daughter of the King and therefore a pearl of great price in His Kingdom! Importantly, each step of this journey of healing has happened because God’s community came around me, His hands, and feet, showing and teaching me my value.
Research by pioneers in the field of trauma, such as Dr. Jim Wilder, points to joyful relationships being the backbone to our healing. We humans heal in healthy, nurturing, redemptive community with the Lord himself as our mother and father and our brothers and sisters surrounding us – displaying to us our value and helping us in rebuilding our broken trust. Just like the forming of the pearl within the shell– layer upon layer of relational love, acceptance, and joy creating a lustrous and resilient Pearl!
Creating Pearls is now my life purpose. I join with the Re-fined community: in the courtroom, as we surround and support in words and in presence each woman who bravely testifies in front of a judge, jury, and her perpetrator; at Gap Night as we discuss life skills while sharing a home-cooked meal; at The Great Banquet as we serve a four-course meal in lavish surroundings.
I also join with other groups, one that comes alongside youth experiencing homelessness in downtown Denver, another that surrounds youth at the border caught in the throes of the immigration issue. Layer upon layer upon layer of God’s love in community… and exquisite Pearls are formed. Pearls of Great Value that glimmer in the palms of His Hands
