THE WISH

 

When in the realms of heaven

You asked me what in mortality

I wanted to be, it was so easy,

I said I wanted to be like Thee.

You warned me of the suffering 

That would have to be equal in measure

To what You would suffer for me;

That my life would not be easy

But that You would make up for everything.

Now I am here,

I fear the refiners' fire of the kiln

When Your potter hands are moulding me,

But I try to be the woman I was who said

She wanted to be like Thee.

Some days I want to change my wish

I am not worthy to bear my suffering,

But then I notice the chains around my heart

Are broken, and I remember:

You will make up for everything.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Clay Full by Ron diCianni)

REFINER OF SILVER

"Some time ago a few women met in a certain city to study the scriptures. While reading the 3rd chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the 3rd verse: "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." One woman proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them on what he said about the subject. She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand begged the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver. After he had fully described it to her she asked, "But sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" "Oh yes Madam", replied the silversmith "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured." The woman at once saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver". Before she left, the woman asked one final question, "When do you know the process is complete?" "Why, that is quite simple", replied the silversmith, "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished."

- Anonymous