God’s Thoughts to Me
I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering (Isaiah 48:10, NLT).
Painting With Refining Love
The Master Author and Painter is delightfully captured with exuberant love as He paints the story of a life refined. He is enthralled by the unfinished fairy tale of His beautiful one, the picture of His gazelle.
He mixes the ashes of her broken life with the colorful splashes of her pain and sorrow and collects every tear as His artist turpentine to paint her story … their story.
Every sigh escaping her heart explodes into royal purples and blues and her soft whispers of love to Him creates a joyful rainbow of delight.
Her dark thoughts of anger and turmoil provide the blacks and browns for the dangerous, yet wondrous journeys through dark enchanted forests filled with light beams of hope.
The Master Poet uses the murderous monster of exhaustion who tries to rip the pages of her story into tiny fragments, to write a tender fragile poem with a feathery quill of compassion.
Every stab of excruciating pain becomes another valuable brush stroke to add a touch of gold to enrich a life surrendered … a life where every picture, every word, every page, every thought, every nuance, breath and smile is embraced by her Pappa’s love.
Much love and sweet blessings XX
Mia
Linking-up with Lisa Jo. Please check out my new page, Tea Time and Link-Ups, where you will find all the beautiful places where I link every weekend.
His Loving Embrace 
Mia, friend. I’m so touched by this metaphor of the Master Artist using the experiences of our lives as the paint and brush strokes of the masterpiece he’s creating in and through us. Such hope in knowing even the sin and anger and mistakes are drawn into the beauty He’s making. Thank you, dear one.
Hi Ashley
What comfort that our Pappa uses even our biggest mistakes for our good and His glory. The problem is that our idea of “good” and His idea, usually differ completely.
Hugs XX
Mia
Hi Mia,
The image there splayed out between the many book pages was intriguing. Where did you find that?
Re your comment on my post “Not Lost In Translation,” thank you, friend. I think of them and how much he loves them too, and the image of them sticks in my mind and my prayers some days.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Dear Jennifer
Thanks, that picture tells a thousand words, doesn’t it! I found this on Google, but cannot remember under what heading. Yes, God’s loves all His children equally.
Luv to you XX
Mia
Your writing has a way of capturing my mind and drawing me into the words. I just re-read it for I needed to be captured by His love. Been a hard day, did not end well because I let my mouth speak words I cannot withdraw. All I can do is ask forgiveness, again, for the same thing. Thanks for the pictures of His love.
Hi Betty
Oh, I am so sorry to hear you are struggling! I think once we are despondent about our sins and our inability to change, we can know for sure that our Pappa is working in our heart. I think we have a much greater problem when we are not aware of our shortcomings or when it doesn’t bother us. Godly sorrow is a good thing, my friend! Praying for you.
Much love XX
Mia
Hello Mia,
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. I love the verse. It really struck me. Refined by suffering. Wow!
Blessings,
Judy
Dear Judy
The pleasure is all mine, dear one! Oh, we don’t hear so well when everything is moonshine and roses, don’t you think!
Much love XX
Mia
That is so true! God speaks to us the most when we are in the fire!
powerful. Enjoyed reading.
Found you through Floyds blog
Welcome to my blog. What an honor to have a new guest! I am glad you are encouraged.
Hugs and blessings XX
Mia
Dear Mia,
I always love the picture of Him collecting our tears…how are you feeling? Is your fibro acting up? Praying God continues to hold you up in His love…thanks for always encouraging us to remember God’s love.
Hugs to you,
Dolly
Hi Dolly
I think heaven’s bottles are very big for all the tears the tears we shed! Perhaps like the jars at the wedding at Cana. I am well, thanks dear friend.
Luv XX
Mia
so many beautiful lines but this one particularly touched me ” He mixes the ashes of her broken life with the colorful splashes of her pain and sorrow and collects every tear as His artist turpentine to paint her story … their story.” have a great week Mia!
Hi Lisa
Yes, you know about those tears that serve as turpentine!
Luv XX
“Every sigh escaping her heart explodes into royal purples and blues and her soft whispers of love to Him creates a joyful rainbow of delight.” Love it!
Hi Allison
Yes, our Lord never wastes a tear, a sigh or a heart that reaches out to Him!
Luv XX
Mia
Pain “a brush stroke” in the furnace of suffering. What an outlook! Praying for you, today.
Hi Jennifer
Thanks for your prayers!
Luv XX
Mia
So inspiring, MIa! Our love affair with the Lord is truly an enchanting journey!
Hi June
You put it well, dear friend: an enchanting journey!
Luv XX
Mia
Awesome writing story, Mia. You use your life as the canvas and the experiences as the paint to reveal a masterpiece from the heart of our Father. Your words are always beautiful and soul piercing.
Hi Floyd
Thank you, dear friend, for always helping me along the way with your understanding and kindness!
Luv XX
Mia
Mia, I am so encouraged by this post. You write so beautifully. Thank you for sharing with us, my sister.
Hi Lyli
I am glad these words “spoke”to you! Thanks for your kindness.
Luv XX
Mia
LOVE this…yes…”Every stab of excruciating pain becomes another valuable brush stroke to add a touch of gold to enrich a life surrendered … a life where every picture, every word, every page, every thought, every nuance, breath and smile is embraced by her Pappa’s love.” Just beautiful, friend…thank you for your words today. I hope your weekend is beautiful. 🙂
Hi Mel
Thank you, dear friend!I am glad you are encouraged. What a joy to know He holds us in the palm of His hand.
Luv XX
Mia
Hi Mia, God will use all we give Him. The pain for some, and many blessings will produce a life filled with His signature. For a book of remembrance is being written of all we have spoken about Him!
May you arise and your enemies be scattered!
Blessings, Roxy
Dear Roxy
Yes, it gives me great joy that our talking about our Pappa brings Him such joy that He writes it down!
Luv XX
Mia
love that verse. …so true …so true.
It is not easy, dear one; but so worthwhile!
Luv XX
Mia
I love this Mia; oh how God desires us to trust in Him, hold out for the One He has chosen, and let Him write our stories! It requires us to actively grow closer to Him, let Him love us, forgive us, and form us according to His will. It means putting God in the center of our lives!
Blessings to you for this beautiful post sweet friend!
Denise
Hi Denise
In this world I don’t think we can survive without our Pappa being the center of our hearts, don’t you think!
Luv XX
Mia
I have had some valuable brush strokes this summer and I am just now beginning to see the beauty of it all. Beautiful picture you have painted here, Mia!
Hi Rachel
Yip, those brushstrokes are with refined golden paint! Glad you are seeing a little of the picture, dear friend!
Luv XX
Mia
This has to be one of my favorite posts of yours. ” The Master Author and Painter is delightfully captured with exuberant love as He paints the story of a life refined. He is enthralled by the unfinished fairy tale of His beautiful one, the picture of His gazelle.” wow
Hi Jean
You are such a great example of our Beloved’s gazelle! I just love your tender love for your Lord. Such an inspiration.
Luv XX
Mia
Beautiful, Mia! It is true that everything that happens to us, good and bad, colors the tapestry of our life that He is creating. The great thing is knowing He never does inferior work – our story will end up being beautiful.
Keep writing, dear one!
Hi Jerralea
Oh, I love your wisdom that our Pappa never does inferior work!
Luv XX
Mia
“a life where every picture, every word, every page, every thought, every nuance, breath and smile is embraced by her Pappa’s love.”
Love this, Mia. Amen.
Hi Lisa
We cannot survive otherwise, don’t you think, sweet friend!
Luv XX
Mia
“another brush of great value”…I’m not sure why yet, but that sure resonated with me, Mia!
and to think…He embraces everything within me.
Thank you for blessing me today, friend! {HUGS}
Hi dear Nikki
I think it is because our Pappa loves painting with gold!! Hope you experience His embrace daily as you walk with your Beloved Jesus!
Luv XX
Mia
Oh this is so beautiful, Mia! Your words and imagery steal my heart. I love how our Master Poet writes “a tender fragile poem with a feathery quill of compassion” when we are faced with the “murderous monster of exhaustion”. How sweetly you have captured God’s soft embrace for His weak and wounded ones. I will reflect on this in the bad and sad days when life screams pain and purpose feels lost. Thank you so much for this inspiring word. With love and blessings of health and strength to you 🙂 xxx
Hi sweet Joy
Yes, you KNOW what I mean, dear friend. We are travelers on the same journey of Fm/ CFS! Thanks for your kindness and I am so glad that you have heard my heart!
Luv XX
Mia
Mia, I appreciate the posts, and enrich myself with the reading of them.
Shalom,
Pat Orr
Dear Pat
You are such a dear friend, thanks! Still praying for your children.
Luv XX
Mia
Suffering is not pleasant and yet necessary to refine us. May we each be transformed day by day into the image of our Savior. I love how you weave the words and pictures into your story.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Hi Debbie
Yes, dear friend, without that “dying” to our ways through suffering, we don’t really grow in faith and trust!
Luv XX
Mia
Hi Mia! What a compelling story, how uplifting to know that it is yours, and you trust the Lord to paint it for you.
The photo images you used are really beautiful too.
Hi Ceil
Thanks, dear one. Pictures do capture the heart of a story!
Luv XX
Mia
Mia,
This is so beautiful. So true that the darker times in our life provide the foundation for wonderful growth and wisdom to occur; God uses this time to draw us closer to Him. Linking with #Womanhood with Purpose and #fiveminutefriday. Kim
Hi Kim
Those dark times is the best soil to cultivate trust! Thanks for your visit!
Blessings XX
Mia
I love this. Indeed, He is a masterful craftsman, and I am going to trust Him to write my story.
Hi Barbara
Yes, He is the master Craftsman. What a joy to trust Him through the good, the bad and the ugly!
Luv XX
Mia
Keep on writing those stories, dear Mia. For you are an inspiration, and your influence surely stretches across the globe …
Hi Linda
Your words are so kind and so encouraging, thank you!! I appreciate your lovely heart.
Luv XX
Mia
This is so beautiful. I’m your Neighbour on #fiveminuefriday and just loved your post. Amazing when we realise God has it all figured out and all the good and bad makes an amazingly beautiful life story!
Hi Simone
Nice to meet you! Yes, our God works everything for our good; especially the painful parts!
Luv XX
Mia