Still More Sanding
STILL MORE SANDING
Read Psalm 66:8-12.
Greg watched as his father began refinishing the old table. Dad put a new piece of sandpaper in his electric sander and began to work.
“You’re spoiling it,” Greg said when Dad finally stopped the sander. “You’re making it look like it has all kinds of scratches.”
“I’m not done with it yet,” Dad answered, turning on the sander once more.
Greg watched for a long time. His father finally stopped sanding and began applying stain. When he had finished staining the wood, the table did look pretty. But the next day he put a new piece of sandpaper in the sander and once again began sanding the tabletop.
“Dad,” Greg called out, “you’ve already put the stain on.”
Dad turned off the machine and began to explain. “It still has some flaws in it,” he said, taking Greg’s hand and rubbing it over the tabletop so he could feel the rough spots. “I’ll just keep sanding until it’s perfect.”
When the table was finished, Greg admired the final product. But he was surprised to hear Dad say, “We’re a lot like this table.”
Greg laughed. “I sure hope you’re not planning to use the sander on me!”
Dad smiled. “God sometimes uses difficult situations to smooth out our rough places,” he explained.
Greg nodded. He thought of the time he broke his arm. He had learned patience as he had to learn to write with his left hand. He would ask God to help him grow and become a better Christian through whatever circumstances came into his life.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you had difficult experiences? Perhaps there has been a death or a divorce in your family. Maybe you or someone you love is sick. Whatever your experience, let God use it to help you grow.
TO MEMORIZE:
When he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
Job 23:10
LET GOD SMOOTH YOU OUT.
From the book
