From Lava Rock to Marble

Imagine a rough, bumpy piece of lava rock. Once upon a time that was me and maybe even you.

Hang on, let me explain.

Most of you don't know the younger version of Tammy who had a temper, could be rather direct, and one minute struggled with low esteem and the next feeling too much bravado. Life had been tough and so I learned to forge ahead with double-fist resolve. Someone once told me that my determination would get me hurt one day. Hard, calloused, and rough like lava rock.

But now I see myself as gritty, grayish-white marble.

How did that happen?

As we age, life has a way of changing us. All those trials become valued lessons. 

All that pain smooths our rough edges and leaves us wiser for the next time pain comes. We've experienced more betrayal, deep grief, and abiding love. We fought the green-eyed jealousy monster, battled the presence of bitterness, and attained major accomplishments. We've raised children gaining new skills along the way and paid our share of bills and taxes. We develop compassion for other's struggles because we've been there too. Aging has taught us life is living with one change after another.

But that's not how I believe my transformation happened. You see, we all know folks who have been through the same experiences but have stayed like lava rock.

My transformation had little to do with me and more to do with the process called sanctification.

As an eleven-year-old, God began this journey of renovating this piece of lava rock to where it is today. This process has been a slow one. Not because of God's timing, but my participation along the way. The transformation can only happen when I'm in deep relationship with Him. Otherwise, I resort to my default mode—the rough, determined lava rock.

The seasons of my life where I've lived focusing on Him are the times when He's transformed or polished this lava rock. Wounds are healed. Brash personality traits diminished. Faith has grown. Acceptance of life's quirkiness happened. Trust in His timing versus my forced determination increased.

Less rough lava rock episodes with more smooth marble experiences.

Life is much harder as a lava rock and more joyful as marble.

But He's not done renovating me—thank goodness. I still have a lot of rough edges to smooth, spiritual and emotional lessons to learn, and seeds of love to plant. In the meanwhile, this transformed lava rock is deeply grateful for His patience, perfection, and perseverance in changing me more like marble.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his god, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 NIV

What about you? Have you changed through the years? How? Let's learn and grow together. Please share. 

Tammy Van Gils plants words and grows insightful stories blooming with hope. She is a thriving survivor of abuse, abandonment and adversity. How? By the Master Gardener's grace, the Vine's love, and the Advocate's renewal—emotionally and spiritually. She is sowing life with her husband of 35 years, a Yorkie Poo named Moose, and a dozen chickens. Her life harvest includes two sons and four grandsons. She enjoys gardening, quilting, and writing.