Polishing Rocks

Hiding behind a nearby door I watched my husband patiently explain the process of rock tumbling to our daughter Brianne. It’s a hobby that we revisit often at the Gilham residence because of the great teaching opportunity. What follows is a divinely inspired conversation between an earthly father and his child, in hopes that our spirits might be stirred as well. As explained by Brianne's father:
"you start out with this ugly rough and seemingly colorless rock, pretty much good for nothing" he said, grimacing as he rolled it around in his hand. (Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.  Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.) 
"You put the rock and several others with it into this drum then add some of this very course sand and clean water then seal the drum. (Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.)
Next you plug it in and tumble and spin the rocks in this first of what could be many steps".
“You must have patience because this first process takes a long time and it’s important we let the water and sand do it‘s job. (Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. )
It grinds out the major and most noticeable imperfection and begins to remove the ugly aggregate that encases the inner beauty". (Tit 3:3 -7 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. )
“Then what do we do when that's finished daddy?" she asked. He smiles and says "Then we get to open the drum and have a peek at what the sand and water has revealed, that will give us an idea of what kind of stone or gem was beneath the mire. But back into the water and sand again.” “Oh man again? when’s it gonna be finished?” (Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ) "Lastly we polish with the finest sand to a high shine, this makes even the most ordinary rock glisten and sparkle like a Gem." (2Co 5:17 -21 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.)
"How blessed we are to be in the rock tumbler of our heavenly father with other fellow Christian rocks. It may be hard and a long process but my prayer is that if you are a child of God, that you will allow Him to sanctify you daily, refine and polish you with the water of His Word and the help of the Holy Spirit, that you may always be a precious gem in in His kingdom. MG