A Process

What a memorable weekend this is for me. 6 years ago, I walked into Enid First Assembly, not having any idea what to expect. God had stepped into the middle of my world and turned it around. My brother knew I was looking for a church, and he suggested Enid First. I sat alone taking everything in. Unsure what these people were going to think when they found out about the junk of my past; if I would be accepted. I was met with love and kindness I had never expected. I came in uncertain and afraid and left having signed up to bake cookies, joining a Bible Study, and even more hungry for God. It was an awesome experience that will always stay with me. It doesn't seem like 6 years have gone by. It's been a process as I've learned about God's Word, learning the things of God, and how to draw closer. It's been full of ups and downs! Over time, I learned to ride out the ups and downs, leaning on God and not to my own understanding. I don't know why some things happen, probably never will, but what a freedom to learn I didn't have to lean to my own understanding! It took the roller coaster ride I had been on during those ups and downs and made it much easier to handle. As I was reading last night, I came across this paragraph about a process. I found it in the book Joseph, by Charles Swindoll. Thought I would share it, as it might help you also, as we go through the process:
"There is no hurry up process for finding and shaping gold. The process of discovering, processing, purifying, and shaping gold is a lengthy painstaking process. Affliction is gold in the making for the child of God, and God is the one who determines how long the process takes. He alone is the Refiner."
Job 23:10 says "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."
Blessings,
Laura S.