All things silver...

Every cloud has a silver lining...

Yes, Gillian, you got to believe that. Even though the stupid project leads to nowhere, even though the supervisor dont understand and no help at most time, even though you are working on a very very toxic drug which you have probably accidentally inhale and touch a number of times without realizing now. Yes, even though you have always got lousy pig skins, with no certainty of starting the REAL experiments yet though you always stay the whole day in the lab with the deadline drawing near. Yes, that also includes no time for your own, doing other important things too many to number here.

So, yours truly is not going to complain here further. Instead, let me share with you a touching story i heard last sunday if you havent heard. To inspire others as well as to help me look at the right place.

I called it...tadaa...:

The Silversmith Story

(haha, oops, not very creative i know but content more important right?=p)

Malachi 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.

Once, there was this lady who heard that God is just like a refiner and purifier, but did not understand much. So, what better way to gain insight into this than to visit the silversmith? Therefore, off she went to visit the local silversmith.

Without telling the silversmith the purpose of her visit, she interviewed the guy. "Could you explain to me how do you purify the silver in your hand?" In a simplify version, the silversmith replied, "well, one important condition is that you have to put the silver into the hottest part of the fire, for it to be refined."

"Oh, so while doing all this, what do you actually need to do. I mean do you need to be there all the time?" probed the lady further.

"Yup, i need to be there all the time during the refining and purifying process..to keep watch over it closely. Because you see, the silver cant be underheated. Nor can it be overheated, or else the silver would have gone without hope of recovering. But if not heated enough, the silver wont be perfect."

Feeling intrigued by now, the lady asked one last question. "So, how can you be sure that the silver purification is complete and to stop the process at the exact time?"

"Well, that is VERY easy. The moment i can see my reflection on the silver, i know it is done."

Simple story i think but with profound impact. How often a time we think we are all alone in our struggles, feeling maybe like the silver in the hot fire, with no way out. But it is so humbling to know actually in the midst of all these, there is a God who keep watch so closely. The timing in His hand is always perfect - not a moment too early, and never ever late.

Happy pancake day everyone!=D