[oldngray]

Thanks Chair, and each of you who continue to remember Daryl and family.

Here's a story that was sent to me this am. How appropriate for me... and Daryl. Perhaps others might receive a blessing from it as well.



There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out about the process of
refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week this woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot -- then she thought again about the verse, that he sits "as a refiner and purifier of silver". She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy--when I see my image in it."


This story is especially meaningful to those of us who may be in the hottest part of the flame right now. To know that God has his eyes fixed on those he is refining and cannot be distracted is most comforting! Nothing that happens in your life goes unnoticed by the Father.....most comforting.

He is aware of all and guess what? He's on your side!!

[kassie]

What a neat story.

[Chairman_December_19th_Society]

Oh, I really liked your story! Wonderful, it is!

[Guenevere]

#33...oh my goodness, I just read your #33, and I'm sitting here bawling my eyes out!

You know what omg, those heartstrings never got severed when our children grew up.....they're still entwined round & round ....and when our children hurt, we hurt.

Just last night, we received a call from our dear son.

Almost the first words were..."I've given it to God".....

We have watched him grow & mature through the adversity & disappointment of losing his job....we have cried with him through bitter moments of despair and rejoiced with him as we saw evidence of maturity, both mental & spiritual.

We knew God was refining him....
...and now, when all the connections he was pulling together ....all the many companies he has applied to....all the facets of this life experience were starting to make sense, and he truly believes a job is very very close....

...his roommate ups & marries a longtime girlfriend....like elopes....and now wants the apartment all to themselves (which is understandable)...

The apartment address is what he has noted on all his correspondence to prospective employees, although, of course, he does have an email adress and a phone.

But it felt so very overwhelming to him.....like a last straw....and he's very very short on money.

...but we didn't hear despair last night....and I think he HAS given it to God.

We don't know what God's will is here......maybe it's time for him to come home to live with us for a while.

But he wants to be independent, and we were encouraging this.

You know, in the light of day, and writing it out, it doesn't seem quite like the end of the world, as it did last night.

I contrast this with your son.....who I praise God is home & better, and ong, there was despair the other day when you wrote......not despair from you....but we all surely felt heartsick for you.

But LOOK!....you have restored our hope....and you never lost faith even in the midst of it.

I MUST send your refining story to my son & my husband!!

God Bless....

[jtill]

Late to the party again! Well, that's my usual position.

Glad to hear that things are getting better for Daryl, Peg and the girls. Prayers for all of you continue.

I copied your story and send it to a number of friends. Everyone has been so appreciative and has commented on how true and comforting to know that God is our refiner and purifier!

[Lorena]

Your post #33 is a blessing and your faith shines bright. I've been doing more lurking than posting lately but have been keeping Darryl, you and the family lifted in prayer. Thanks for the updates on his condition. May the doctors continue to have godly wisdom and guidance in treating and caring for him and may the Lord's healing hand be upon him.