We had a really bad storm come thru this area last Thursday evening. A lot of people were without power for a couple of days. Since we have a lot of trees in our yard....and I mean big ole trees that have been here since way before we built our house 33 years ago....well, you can imagine all the sticks and leaves that got blown all over our yard. We spent a lot of time Saturday morning before it got so miserably hot raking....and sweating....and raking.....and sweating!!! As I helped Pappy clean up our yard, I thought about how storms must be God's way of pruning the dead sticks and limbs off of the trees so that they can grow and produce better. Then, the little light bulb went off....and I realized that He does the same thing for me. Nothing that happens to me hasn't been filtered thru His loving hands first. Job made this statement....
"But he knows where I am going.
And when he tests me,
I will come out as pure as gold.
Job 23:10
And when he tests me,
I will come out as pure as gold.
Job 23:10
We can do one of two things when bad things come our way....we can moan and groan and make everybody around us as miserable as we are....or we can realize that this is happening to serve to make us grow stronger in our faith.....and to lean on Him even more.
Hey....that's what He's there for....and what He wants!!!
When I get on the other side of some of these troubles and trials....
(life = troubles and trials)
....I want to be shining like pure gold!!!
Happy Monday, Sweet Readers!!!
In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!
Wonderful post this morning and so fitting with our Bible Study this week. Thanks for sharing. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts as usual. Love the verses you used. So much hope and comfort.
ReplyDeleteWith all the refining you've been going through, you are well on your way to being pure gold. It's so exciting how the Lord uses experiences in our everyday lives to teach us. Although cleaning up after a huge storm isn't what I'd want to do every day, but you know what I'm trying to say! HUGS!
ReplyDeleteThe more I look at your hair style, the more I love it and thinking about getting a similar cut for me...
Wonderful message today Deb..
ReplyDeleteHello Deb, So good, Those trials are hard ant the time, yet when you look back, you appreciate what you have learned. xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing at Tell Me a Story. Yes, the storm does prune the trees, and your wise insight reminds us that the storms of life that we experience do prune away the dross in our lives.
ReplyDeleteAs His kids and servants, when tough times hit, our heart-caring attitude towards those around us can turn hearts, plant Truth seed, encourage. Our area hasn't had a lot of storms lately [MANY other times, believe me, including one of the worst multiple-tornados destruction in our national history (May, 1975)], but the heat has been way up there in the hundred range and a drought is phasing in. These will cause important decisions and adjustments to our everydayness. So sorry for you and those who struggled and suffered through this overwhelming weather aspects... and so proud of you and others who cared for and encouraged those who were losing their "heart". You are a blessing.
ReplyDeletehe has a way of pruning us too!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up with us over at THANKFUL THURSDAY...He is our comfort in the storms that blow. Bad things happen, what is most important is how we react to those bad things. I pray He finds me reacting positively. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and beautiful illustration of this great verse. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete