Sanding Off the Rough Edges

As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.               Proverbs 27:17 NKJV

Sharpening begins with a tool hard enough to wear down the imperfections that have dulled the blade of a knife. It reminds me a little of a bunk bed building project for underprivileged children where I recently spent two hours sanding 2 by 4’s. Smoothing down those scrapes and gouges reminded how God has used friends to wear off some of the roughness in my own life.

“You’re just an expert on everything!” my boss Al said sarcastically one day, as he threw up his hands in disgust. His words stung because they were true.  Because we moved a lot when I was a kid I tried being smarter or at least cool enough to be accepted by others. Without my being aware of it this left me a bit of a know-it-all until that day when Al pointed it out. As much as his words hurt, they started me on the path that I needed towards change.

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None of us much like criticism but that is the first step that God uses to sharpen us. But we hold the key to how things turn out in our hands. We can get angry and reject any kind of correction from others or we can allow God to put to take off our rough edges. Correction hurts but if we allow it, God will sharpen us and restore us to the purpose for which we are made. We have a decision to make. We can remain dull or we can allow our Father’s hand to sharpen us for His use.

Taking Our Own Test

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

My hands sweated as I gripped the steering wheel helplessly watching the train pass by, knowing that with each car I was getting later for class. Five minutes later I bolted from my car and raced up the stairs to my classroom where everyone else was already seated and beginning the exam. Mrs. Sullivan smiled trying to look encouraging as I picked up my English Literature test and plopped down in my seat.

“Who in the world are they?” I wondered as I glanced at the first question with a list of authors to choose from. So I skipped down to the next question but it was on a novel I had never heard of. As I scanned the rest of the sheet realizing I didn’t know any of the answers my stomach churned. In panic I walked up to the professor’s desk. “Mrs. Sullivan; I think something is wrong I stuttered, feeling humiliated. She glanced at the test in my hand and then burst out laughing:

“Sorry Pete! I gave you the wrong test. That’s for my World Lit class!” Waves of relief swept over me as I went back to my desk with the test I was prepared for. Too many times in life I find I get in trouble by trying to be someone I am not. It is like purposely deciding to take the wrong test. Not one of us will pass the exam which God has prepared for someone else. But no matter what we are going through He has promised His help when we are taking our own test!

man in black and white polo shirt beside writing board

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Remembering Joy

Whom having not seen, you love: in whom also now, though you see him not, you believe: and believing shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorified;                          1 Peter 1:8 Douay-Rheims

If we would be honest all of us would have to confess that the moments of joy that we experience are pretty few and far between.

plates and wine glass on table

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I recall the moment when I kissed my wife at the altar  and said, “I do.” But that sweet memory was immediately followed by long work weeks, bills and little arguments that conspired to dim our happiness. A year later our first son was born and we cuddled him looking into those deep blue eyes with contentment and pride; but then came his fussing till two in the morning; throwing up on my shirt just before I left for work and yes; more bills.

The Apostle Peter tells us that no matter what our experience in life is; there is a far better celebration to come. Here God blesses us with little glimpses of joy, but a joy is coming that we cannot explain. Because He is our loving Father; God gives us just a taste of heaven now and then; but one day at the banquet table with Jesus we will find heaped high on our plates His fullness of a joy that will last us forever!