When Brad and I made the decision for Keenan to have the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy to help with his spasticity, I thought a good way to communicate to others about our journey was to begin a blog. I have wanted to learn how to set up/manage one for a bit (mainly as a new and interactive tool to use with my kids in the classroom), but never allowed myself the time to do it.
So, the journey toward becoming a little more computer savvy began and my first decision was a title for my blog. I wanted it to be something meaningful that captured the essence of our journey the past seven years. The first title, and only title, that entered my mind was “Refiner’s Fire”. I could not let go of it, so I began to search for deeper explanations about what it means to be refined in the fire. I have read the verses and have heard thoughts about what it means to be refined, but I went into God’s Word and used that as my guide to put a framework together for myself (and the blog). As I continue to update over the next several months, I am sure God will allow me to pull “nuggets” from the notes I have taken on the whole subject of being refined.
I did read a bit about how the silversmith works to refine silver and found the analogy between the silversmith and God to be pretty awesome. When silver is being refined, it has to be held in the middle of the fire, where it is hottest, to burn away every impurity. The silversmith has to stay by the fire the entire time, watching the silver. If it is left there even a moment too long, it would be destroyed. So, how does the silversmith know when the silver is refined???? It is when he can see his image in it. Isn’t that the coolest??? The same is true of our experience when we are in trials and feel like we possibly can’t take it one moment longer. Our Heavenly Father is right there with us, making sure we don’t get “burned”. He does not leave us (or allow us) to be in that trial one moment longer than is needed to refine our character in a way that makes us more like Him.
I love that we can go to His Word for powerful promises that relate to this very topic.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,”Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
I am so excited to see what God has in store for Keenan. I know the short-term is going to be soooo hard on him, and that will be tough not only to watch, but also to be the one to keep pushing him on those days he is ready to give up. But, thankfully, we don’t live in the fire of refinement. This will be only a season and then there will be reaping of GREAT joy as Keenan will get to move with greater confidence and strength. What a day of rejoicing that will be!!!!!!!
Thank you for being a part of our story and a part of what has brought us to this point in our journey. Over the years, whether you provided a listening ear, been a prayer warrior, offered encouragement and love at just the right moment, shared a meal, offered to keep Kaylee, visited us during our many hospital stays, or gave us a hug, I am thankful.
Now, on to greater things that are yet to come, all because of God’s grace, love and mercy that He bestows in His time.
Tammy
(April 8, 2011)
