The Refiner's Fire of Motherhood

“All my children have brought more trial and struggle into my life than I would have ever wanted to have.  But, I am who I am today because of that refining fire from the Lord.  The Bible says that children are a blessing from the Lord.  That is so true!  Often they are not a blessing in the way we would expect them to be.  They bless us by challenging us and forcing us to be more than we can possibly be.  They push us into complete dependence upon God.  They strip away our pride and leave us humble and broken before our Lord.  And if we have any pride left, the Lord uses them to make sure it doesn’t stick around for too long.  I am so glad I have gone and am continuing to go through the fire of motherhood.  It is the tool God is using to make me like Him.”

Christal Stroup - "Mad at her & Mad at myself" in Above Rubies Magazine, February 2013