This year "I don't want to just list the stuff I'm grateful for. I want to bathe in it. I want my heart to burst open with the joy of it all," (Christine Kane).
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I am thankful...
THAT GOD IS A REFINER
"He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross..." (Malachi 3:3).
God does not just look at your life and say, have at it. But He is playing an active role in shaping and molding you.
When silver and gold is being refined it is put through a blazing fire to burn away all the impurities. When we are facing hardship, trials, periods of waiting, He is using it for our good. He is teaching us what is important, drawing us closer to Him and removing all that is unnecessary in our lives.
Just the other day I walked to my car at the end of a long work shift, only to find out that someone had broken into my car and stolen all that was inside. Turns out it was the wrong day to have every expensive item I owned in my vehicle. (Side note, I am very thankful that I even have a way to be writing these posts, difficult as it may be).
I was mad, scared and really upset. And, shoot, thanksgiving was just around the corner! I looked up and thought, nice one God. Very nicely orchestrated, what with the timing and the placement of all these expensive items in the car on this specific day. Really, you can't write this stuff.
But I am still thankful. Trust me, I'm surprised too.
God is using this for good at so many levels, reminding me of what the Holidays are really about and what is important. He is taking me as gold and burning away the items in my life that are impure. Maybe not the items themselves but the distracting role they play in my life. I am more appreciative of the opportunities I have to play the guitar. And even now that it is more difficult to simply write a blog post, I am making time to do it.
He is making me see more clearly, and with the refining He is making me to be a clearer reflection of Himself.
These are the things that are important. Family, worship, prayer, the Word. And it took a thief to remind me.
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Well that wraps up my short Hello November Challenge. It's always a real pleasure doing these.
I pray you will take some time this thanksgiving and all throughout the Holidays to spend some time with your family. But most importantly spend some real one on one time with God. He is the reason we have anything to be thankful for. The reason we have breath.
So when we give thanks it is to no other than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Happy Thanksgiving and God bless.
