Character

First of all, I'm back! I had about a month of "Internet Cafe" use, and now I'm at my own computer again--and thankful!

Character. I'm reading Romans right now and I just finished reading about how tribulation builds perseverance; perseverance builds character; and character builds hope. I decided that, although I know it's good for me, I'm not so keen on the character building right now! When I look back over the past 10 years, I see how much God has done in my life--how much He has strengthened my character. My first instinct is to think, "I should be finished with this!" But, I'm not...and it stinks. But, there's another side to it. HOPE! Character builds hope. So, while at this precise moment I find myself sulking and moping and thinking, "Please take this tribulation from me! Please let me skip all of the building and go straight to the outcome," I know that the glorious hope that awaits outweighs this silly moment of "Woe is me!" Even as I write, I cannot force down the silly grin forming on my face. You see, that's what Jesus does. He takes those moments of misunderstanding and transforms them into a wonderful, teachable moment and one cannot help but glorify Him through it all!

So, maybe a little character building isn't so bad after all.
For now.