Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Little by little.........



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." (Malachi 3:3) 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 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."
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you.
Author unknown

8 comments:

{Mo} said...

Thank you for sharing that Suzanne!!!

CB said...

I SO LOVE that! Great analogies are the best. Thanks for sharing that, it is going in my book where I keep those types of things forever :D

Jenice Henrie said...

I saw on Ann's website that Shaeler has Strep. That explains a great deal. What are the chances that I could borrow her for the week of Robert's birthday? Let me know.

Ann Marie said...

Loved it!! Great Analogy!!
I will remember that whenever I see my silver stuff.

Glad it wasn't the flu.. Only I'm not sure Strep is any better..

I hope you and Brian stay healthy!
Talk to you soon.. ~ Ann

Carrie said...

Suz - you have to know that finding you and reading your blog has been an answer to my prayers. You have filled my cup on several occassions and I love you for it.

I drove past the Jordan River temple today on my way home from my parent's house. I saw this cute older couple pulling out of the parking lot with the biggest grins on their faces and thought - SUZ WOULD LOVE SEEING THIS!!!!!

Thanks for helping me realize that you can be spiritual and not overwhelming and stuffy. Maybe I will be like you when I grow up :)

Heather said...

That was awesome! I loved it! I will have to have my husband read this. That is amazing. So uplifting. What a great thing to think about.

How is your daughter feeling?

Amber Burt said...

Sometimes it is nice to remember that there is a reason that we go through the trials that we do. Thanks for the reminder!

JENNIFRO said...

That was fabulous. What a GREAT object lesson/analogy/metaphor whatever..I'm going to save this. Thanks!

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