Define Refined

I was watching Joel Osteen on Sunday (one of my ways to gather inspiration) and he said The Lord puts obstacles in our way to help us grow and become refined. Growing is such a big part of our lives and some of us never do get better with age. It's as if they stand still in time.

It is funny because the other day I was in a rush at the grocery store because I had to catch a ride and the baby needed milk. There was no one in the 10 items or less so I snuck my 15 items in, but the cashier made a big deal about it and instead of letting the ugly things she said role off my back I decided to give her a big piece of my mind. NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO. Why is it that when we are miserable we always try to bring people to our level?

I obviously still have a lot of growing to do!

I am getting better though because I just learned that a girl I was very close to once got drunk at a party and could say enough bad things about me. My first instinct was to confront her but I stepped back and thought about it. Does it really matter that much what she says. Besides, in a way I am flattered,  it seems that her life is and always was consumed with what I was doing or saying.

Maybe we don't get the blessing we ask for because we are not yet ready for them!!!!!