As I followed my sister and brother-in-law into the building, an anxious spirit rested heavily on my chest prompting silent prayer for peace and discernment. It had been 10 months, the longest it had ever been between visits. My sister told the lady behind the glass who we were there to see. My nephew, whom I had visited several times before in the past 2 ½ years but living so far away with some interruptions as well to some planned visits, had me only seeing him once in 2019. Once in the room, I was able for the first time in 2 ½ years to view my nephew through glass instead of a TV monitor. As our visit took off and I probed for a report to the faithfulness of God, I was not disappointed!

He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD (Malachi 3:3, NLT).

We are all in need of the “refining” process; for the impurities – junk, trash, that which is worthless (dross) in our lives, to be burned away. Unfortunately, many are blind to the needs of their own heart yet focus their energies on the impurities in another. And still, many are satisfied with the existing state of their Christianity. Very few choose to allow God free reign in their hearts and lives. I’m thankful I can say, my nephew is welcoming the refining fire and looking to be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind [God] will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship [God] (Romans 12:1).

My visit with my nephew reminded me of something I read recently.

Consequences, even in our tears and brokenness, can result in praise and glory and a deepening love for God and His appearing instead of a heart soured and angry with Him.

Joe Stowell, Discovery Series: When the Going Gets Tough: Finding Hope & Joy In Our Trials

Thank you for committing to pray for my dear nephew, Jacque! Pray he continues to have a heart open to this refining process. And pray for his release to be at hand. May the Lord be praised!

The greatest antidote for sin, especially those sins that hold onto us so tightly . . . What’s the greatest antidote? It’s passion and affection for Jesus and for His Word. As we delight in Him, the delights of sin seem to be something we don’t have to have. Something we can gladly live without. –Nancy Leigh Demoss Woglemouth

May it be so!!!