Iron Sharpens Iron

I'm always asking God to change me and then shocked when He does it...and it hurt!

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17  

This verse comes alive in my house where a sharp knife is valued.  My husband taught the boys how to repair and sharpen knife blades using all the various tools.  While watching a movie, he'll work on a knife until it is just right.  

Heather's expert knife sharpening tutorial:  

Take the knife that pried open the paint can or dug out a plant and give it to the experts.  File, grind and work it on various grades of sharpening stone until it is a workable tool again.  It's not the same blade it was before.  It is has been changed.    

Precision, patience, thoughtfulness and a very sensitive touch are needed to be able to make the perfect edge.  My husband uses his thumb to test for nicks and grooves and to judge the next step.  It's a very unappreciated and valued skill.

Then..TaDa...the old has become new! My knife and pruning shears are ready to work again! 

I can picture God taking me lovingly in His hands to feel the cracks, grooves and nicks and eying the edge.  

He lovingly places me in the right relationships that will sharpen those good qualities and file down the rough edges.  Through this process I become ready to use.  

I Praise God for those people He has placed in my life whom I care about and respect that are willing to be that iron in my life!!  Thankful that God is not content with a nicked and worn Heather but instead wants me sharp and ready for service!