Tempered

 Last week I finally received the news that I was approved for knee surgery. I was overjoyed to go under the knife and couldn't wait for it to happen. 
Now a week out, my excitement has turned to "resigned trudging".

I'm tired of the knee pain, tired of the need for ice, tired of using a walker and tired of not being able to get out and move! 
Oh how a few days can alter my exuberant optimism. 
I'm acting like a big baby and in fact I enjoy holding on to my "poor me" attitude. 

Until...... I began to think about what is now a possibility.

 So many saints have once again stepped in and brought us meals, taken the time to visit, called and emailed their concern for me and my recovery. 
Ouch! 
How quickly I forget. It's a blow to the gut, and in a very appropriate way. 
I'm in need of a major attitude adjustment and it makes me cranky that I'm reacting to my situation in a very small-minded way.

Despair.
How do we keep from becoming small minded when viewing our situations with tunnel vision that draws us deep into despair? 
It doesn't seem to matter if we're talking about too-tight jeans or loosing our house. 
When we travel along this road- all seems lost.

We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. Romans 5:3-4 MSG

Impatient.
I seem to be good at passionate impatience today, yet I am intrigued by the thought that my momentary afflictions could be used to forge something that is not easily forgotten, reminding me of what God will do next! 
Maybe talking about what is holding us down and hemming us in is part of how we get to a place of release? 
I don't mean resignation, but a blessed realization that this too is for a purpose. 
Broken.
We are being forged, which is a really hot process of breaking down the compounds found in metal to release the impurities and create something that is strong and pure.

Oh how I want to be strong and pure.

Tempered.
Thank you Jesus that my weak and cranky spirit is not too small-minded for this process. 
Help me in my impatience to look ahead and not back.

 May we celebrate the hope of living with passionate patience through the tempering of our lives for Him, remembering that mining for gold requires time in the crucible before it can be realized as valuable.