The Silversmith

There was a group of women in a Bible Study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter 3 they came across verse three, which says: "He shall 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 the process of refining silver and get back to the group at the next study. That week, this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work.

She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest 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 "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver". She asked the silversmith 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 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 a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "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."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Author Unknown 

Photo credit: www.navajopeople.org

I wish I could heal the hurts...

But, I know Who can! These words are not mine, but I love them. They are some of my favourites ever put together.

For those who hurt today:

Oh, why you look so sad? 

Tears are in your eyes

Come on and come to me now

Don't be ashamed to cry

Let me see you through

'Cause I've seen the dark side, too

When the night falls on you 

You don't know what to do

Nothing you confess 

Could make me love you less

I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you 

Won't let nobody hurt you 

I'll stand by you

So, if you're mad get mad

Don't hold it all inside

Come on and talk to me now

Hey, what you got to hide?

I get angry too

Well, I'm a lot like you

When you're standing at the crossroads

Don't know what path to choose

Let me come along

'Cause even if you're wrong

I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you 

Won't let nobody hurt you 

I'll stand by you

Take me in, into your darkest hour

And I'll never desert you

I'll stand by you

And when, when the night falls on you, baby

You're feeling all alone

You won't be on your own

I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you 

Won't let nobody hurt you 

I'll stand by you

Take me in, into your darkest hour

And I'll never desert you

I'll stand by you 

c. Tom Kelly, Chrissie Hynde, Billy Steinberg (performed by the Pretenders)

Photo credit: http://love-thewayyoulie.deviantart.com/

Image...it's a scary thing to manage.

New revelation: I always choose photographs of myself that I think make me look hot, smart, fun, adventurous, etc...

In case you don't believe me, check out the plethora of profile pictures on my Facebook. My most recent is posing with a statue of Albert Einstein, for crying out loud!

The funny part is, I don't think I'm very photogenic. I rarely like a picture of myself. So, I posted one on this blog to show you that I'm not totally obsessed with making myself look good.

Here's the explanation of this photograph:

My husband and I were on a whale-watching trip in Puerto Vallarta when he took this picture. I dislike the fact that my mouth is gaping like I'm trying to catch a whale with it.

But, even posting it makes me feel a little more human and a little less image-conscious. So there it is for you. I hope you still love me, gaping and all!

Here's to Mom

What do I say to a woman who:

• wanted me before I was born
• gave me life
• changed my dirty diapers and still thought I was cute
• nicknamed me "Mousie," which sticks to this day
• kept me safe me through childhood (except see below)
• accidentally burned me on occasion while curling my hair
• introduced me to faith
• let me drink pop on holidays
• made me eat when I was a teenager (this is a really big deal to me...I avoided an eating disorder because she noticed) 
• taught me how to make a mean mac and cheese
• helped me survive heartbreak more than once
• gave me the one required piece of information so that I would know that I was meant to marry Blaine ("He's just like your dad was when he was that age")
• lets me tell her anything, even when it's crazy
• tells me the truth, even when it's hard to hear
• showed me that I want smile lines on my face because hers is so beautiful to me
• is my best friend

My favourite song, What I Really Meant to Say by Steven Curtis Chapman, conveys it...this is just a little of it:

Even though these words come from deep inside me

There’s so much more I don’t have the words to say

What I really want to say

Is what the sun would say to the sky

For giving it a place to come alive

But my words get in the way

Of what I really want to say

Te quiero mamá. Usted está en mi corazón comienza.