“When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”
dross |drôs, dräs|nounsomething regarded as worthless; rubbish: there are bargains if you have the patience to sift through the dross.• foreign matter, dregs, or mineral waste, in particular scum formed on the surface of molten metal.
This is a verse from the old hymn “How Firm A Foundation”. How could God’s Grace possibly be “all sufficient” so as to consume the worthless rubbish that is my life and refine the gold? In other words what does it look like for God’s Grace to supply my soul with the stuff that helps me to Do No Harm and instead to Do Good?
This morning it looks like tea and fresh fruit and nuts with early morning quiet to read and reflect. Following a full week of caring for sick children there is a calm this morning. It may seem trite to consider “high fevers” on par with “fiery trials”. But if you happen to be someone who cares for others you know. “Fiery trials” were my path of the week. Unknown outcomes, deep waves of sadness, anxiety when the thermometer registered over 103 degrees to name a few. Many opportunities to Do Harm by losing my patience and feeling sorry for myself. Equal opportunity to make another choice, be kind and patient, limit exposure to hurtful things. And look. Today is a new day. All children are asleep. All is quiet for a bit. Long enough to collect my heart and move forward. And it is Saturday, the end of the week. The flame did not hurt me! And the Gold that is refined? My life. A little bit wiser. A little bit deeper. A little bit more able to extend and embrace those things that are “fiery”. ~ Linda #graceallsufficient
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