Pearls Before Swine

"Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and tear you in pieces." - Matt. 7:6

I did not understand this Bible verse for the longest time. I literally pictured in my head someone taking off a pearl necklace and throwing it in a pig pen...and then the pigs going crazy, smashing the pearls and trampling/eating the person alive.

Quite terrifying, actually.

Believe it or not, this year (and most of last year) has been the time that an interpretation of that verse has presented itself to me, in a way applicable to life. So here is my translation of the verse, or at least the latter part:

Don't lay down your trust, your feelings, your dreams, or your reason before people who do not appreciate them or cannot understand them, because they will massively under appreciate it, or completely ignore it, and then tear your heart to shreds.

I love watching old movies. Occasionally you will hear the insult, "You swine!" You mindless, classless, feelingless, uncomprehending pig. That's what I think of when I hear the term.

Pearls before swine. I think it also means not trying to reason with unreasonable people (There are many other Bible verses that reference that too). It cannot be done, and you waste your breath, your energy, and severely dampen your spirits by persisting in thinking, "If only I could make them understand how much this or that hurts me. Surely they would be kinder if they knew."

They know, they just don't care.

The sooner one can accept the fact that some people don't want a share in your life if it comes at the expense of having to give any part of theirs, the better off you will be.

My difficulty is that it takes me a while to process these moments of clarity and realization. And I find myself still hoping for understanding, still spreading my dreams under their feet.

Tread softly, swine. You tread on my dreams.