Refiners Fire

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
Here is the story:
The story is told about some women in a Bible study who were puzzled by this verse.
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 their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called 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 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 as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God allowing us to be in fires of life, then she thought again about the verse that says: "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 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 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."

Quote by: James E. Faust

"In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. In this way the divine image can be mirrored from the soul. It is part of the purging toll exacted of some to become acquainted with God. In the agonies of life, we seem to listen better to the faint, godly whisperings of the Divine Shepherd.

Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope. This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength. For some, the refiner’s fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process".


I have been thinking a lot about this lately. I do believe with all my heart we are on earth to grow and learn. Well what makes us grow spiritually and physically? Doing something that is hard for us. It's like working out. At first you are weak and not very confident, then you work those muscles in ways they have never worked, they become stronger. Perseverance and endurance mold your body into something beautiful and strong. It was hard work getting to this point but the end result is gratifying and you don't ever want your old body back.

I don't want my old self back, but I do want my Ollie back. This wont happen down here so I want to be sculpted into the most beautiful piece of work because of my hardships. I dont want Ollies death to be in vain. This trial in my life has only improved me as a person.

I feel so weak but so much stronger too. I am more patient with myself and others, I am less quick to judge, I appreciate and love the Savior Jesus Christ much more and thank Him for taking my burden and my pain, He makes it a bit lighter daily. I am more in love with Ollie for possibly sacrificing for my family. I picture Ollie like a savior for us, He died so that I might truly live. He is my constant example.  Ollie has blessed every one of his family members and made us all better people.

Ollie you are noble, you are wise and you are greater than I ever imagined. I am so blessed to be your momma. Thank you for allowing me to grow and helping me endure, until I hold you again.