This weekend was much a blur. We "existed." We have had many challenges and have justified all of them as "being refined" in Christ. We understand that this is a long, ardous journey and God must be needing to teach us something. Are we that hard-headed that we are just not getting it?
We have prayed and cried and submitted and just "don't get it." Our biggest question this week "Why did our dog have to die?" We walked around droopy and sad and teary. I sought refuge in the Word of God and in sermons I often listen to daily.
This week, we have gone through some of my mother-in-law's things. She has been gone six years and her things are as she left them back then. We have found some true jewels that have at least brought a smile to our face. We found a graduation ring from Bartlett High School that belonged to my husband's aunt. The graduation year on the ring was 1925. That's a jewel.
We found a prescription container that was dated 1934-it was in a small box, not a pill bottle. To someone like me who treasures antiques and dated items, it was a jewel.
We also found some cards that my husband had given her when he was a young child, still in his writing sent to his mommy....a jewel.
As I thought of it, through our sentiments and tears, I thought of how we are God's jewels. He fashioned each one of us. If I had it my way, I would want to be a pretty pink jewel. If I was that jewel, today I would need to be polished and refined to regain my pretty color as in life, that jewel has been chipped, stained, dropped and is in need of attention.
When we left the house, I went to an appointment and I was a bit early. I sat in my car and continued to listen to a program called Reviving Our Hearts. The speaker made a statement that truly spoke to me and was much needed. The statement was:
"God refines his jewels on the roads of trials and sufferring."
Wow! I needed to hear that. I needed to hear that these roads of trials and suffering are not in vain. I needed to hear that with each trial and with our suffering, God is polishing, re-fashioning and refining us because we are his jewels. He treasures us and through this time, he will not leave us.
So if you're on that road of trial and suffering, remember this...God is not through with us. All those questions, all those situations, all that pain- God will use to his glory as He prepares us to accomplish His purpose.
I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say "They are my people," and they will say "The Lord is our God." Zechariah 13:9
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43: 2-3
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