The Crucible
Eddie Taylor and I had a marathon breakfast meeting this morning that was a wonderful time of cross pollinating. You know the kind of discussions where one person plays off the last words of the other. It was wonderful! As we talked, I began sharing about my new granddaughter (what else?) and how I have marveled at the transformation of my daughter from single college girl, to wife and now mother. Those kinds of transformations where we move from getting little sleep because of college exams, to getting little sleep because of business deadlines, to getting little sleep nursing a growing, demanding little dependent! The dependent might save you a little at income tax time, but you certainly pay for it the rest of the year. When you back away from it, you have to wonder, how do people change in such a radical way so quickly? I think it's a study in grace. It has to be the grace of God. Family, while a God idea, is a crucible. A crucible is defined as, "a severe, searching test or trial". Obviously, in metallurgy it speaks of the melting of metal into a different shape for a different use. Now that's family! While that may seem negative, it is the place champions are made. It is the address of losing one's life in order to find it. If you are struggling with your marriage or family right now...how do I say this delicately....suck it up! The heat you are feeling today has the potential of either destroying you or fashioning you into greatness. The greatness will only come by allowing and even welcoming the fire. Then comes the discovery life as we never knew it could exist. Ask Him for great grace and proceed.