Bizarre Refinement

In one of my previous posts, I did a little word search for the words uncommon which I feel describes my life and grace which describes the refinement I have and still am experiencing.  I love how those words sound together that is why I named this blog Uncommon Grace.

Another word used to describe uncommon is bizarre.  I am intrigued by what bizarre holds, these are a few of my favorites for the meaning of bizarre.

bizarre-adjective

very strange or unusual

synonyms: strange, peculiar, odd, funny, curious, outlandish, abnormal, unconventional, unusual

Now let’s look at refinement,

refinement-noun

means the process of removing impurities or unwanted elements from a substance.

synonyms: purification, refining, processing, treatment the improvement or clarification   of something by the making of small changes.

synonyms:  improvement, polishing, honing, fine-tuning, touching up, finishing off, revision, editing, and reworking.

So now we have Unconventional fine tuning.  Don’t worry I am not going to do word search’s all the time but it sure is interesting when you look deeper into the words we use.  I love it, just look at some of those above combinations together.  I am an unusual person and God is purifying me by making small (and sometimes large) changes to my life.  You might be wondering what unconventional fine tuning looks like.  I  do not have to tell you we are not perfect people.  I have yet to meet one.  Occasionally I think I have but then reality sets in.  I believe the things we go through during our lives brings us to how God wants to fine tune us and he usually will use unusual or peculiar ways.  This fine tuning is what makes us ready to be used.

When I was 17 years old our family had hit a bit of a rough patch, okay actually it was more like a colossal mess, but those details are for another day.  My mom actually hit a downward spiral due to all the stress and ended up with an extended stay in a psychiatric facility, close to our home.  As far as facilities goes it was one of the finest with exceptional care.  I remember going to visit her on an almost daily basis, sometimes she was aware other times not so much.  Now you may be thinking that is horrible, and it was but I know and now see where God used those circumstances so many years ago.  I wonder had I not walked that path would I be as caring and compassionate as I am now?  Would my tolerance level be less?  The world is full of hurting people, it truly is easier to love, grieve, and rejoice with people when you have walked a mile in their shoes.  Well, I have walked a lot of miles and I own a lot of shoes.  God has used each and every circumstance for his glory, your circumstances too.  His grace is powerful, there are times you could have given up and at times, I felt like it.  As for my mom, God’s grace saw her through.  There have been may other peaks and valleys but He sustained her and today she is thriving.  She is a living testament to the grace I am talking about.  She  is fully aware of God using all she has been through in her life to helping others.

I don’t know about you but I do not think the things I went through as a teen were very unconventional but God used them to fine tune me in so many areas of my life.  So enjoy the out of the ordinary.  Don’t be afraid of the unusual, God does not work in the same ways we would.  Be encouraged no matter what you are facing whether big or small God’s got your back, you are in the fine tuning process.  As long as you acknowledge that you need Him, He is there!  I leave you with this verse 1 Peter 4:12-13 (msg)  Friends when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced.  This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.  I love that, glory is just around the corner!

Until next time…