I let the dogs out this morning and felt a small breeze skimming across the open, the sun has not yet risen , but the air is brisk, yes, it is definitely a crisp new day.

Not sure why in that moment my thoughts quickly wandered back to the last time our county weathered a snow storm. As I ponder over the moment I quickly begin searching through my old notes ultimately finding what I journeyed those few years ago.

“With the snow came a spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness which we all know to be the fruits of the spirits”.

The evidence was in black and white when looking back over those days and witnessing it amongst the many post’s people made on Facebook. It was evident people were experiencing a newness, a refreshing. It was as though the snow had covered all of the impurities and left everything Snow White, crisp and pure looking. I’m so amazed and thankful for the Faithfulness that God illustrates to each of us through the storms, through the seasons of life.

As I think about the impurities my thoughts take me to my word for the year….”Refined”….I don’t know why but I see a visual of a train being at a stand still. There are several train cars attached that have no tops on them and several of the cars have graffiti drawn on them covering up, masking the natural appearance of the train cars.

We being the people we are

would consider it to be vandalism of public property (which it is) but what I’m thinking, as much talent that was expressed on the cars those individuals responsible definitely need to be refined, refined to a newness, they need refreshing.

Webster dictionary describes “Refine” as “free from impurities”

A person can take metal and purify it through fire, but God “refines” us through our trials and challenges to make us stronger and more faithful. Which indicates scripture describing it as the process of spiritual growth, purification, and becoming more like Christ.

I can only imagine what their past may have been that would provoke vandalism but I can also imagine what the Lord could do in the lives of those gifted painters with their talents and precisions, how He could refine them for the kingdom.

We don’t always know in the storms of our lives or in those moments when the graffiti will sometimes attempt to cover us or what will produce from such refining, but we can know with God all things are for our good.

Blessings