Tried Like Silver

For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. ~Psalm 66:10

There once was a lady who had been meditating upon the passage of scripture from Malachi 3:3, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." To try to grasp a better understanding and deeper meaning to this passage, she went to a silversmith and inquired about the process of refining silver. He kindly welcomed her and fully described to her the details of his trade.

"Do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" she asked the man.

"O, yes Madam." he replied, adding "I must sit with my eyes steadily focused on the funace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded to the slightest degree, the silver will be injured." The lady noted the comfort and passion of his expression. She thanked him for his time and bid him a fine day.

As she was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, saying there was something else he had forgotten to tell her. He had forgotten to tell her how he knew when the process of refining the silver was complete.

How is that?" she asked. "I know it is completed when I can see my own image refelected in it." the silversmith answered.

She smiled, certain she had found what she was looking for.