Shortly after I wrote about how God is with us even in the hard times (here), I came across this quote:

Wherever souls are being tried and ripened, in whatever commonplace and homely way, there God is hewing out the pillars for his temple. Phillips Brooks (1835-1893), "The Pillar in God's Temple" (source)

What a beautiful picture of how God works through our difficult times. In our struggles, God is fashioning a people who bring glory to him and hope to the world! I may just have to use the verses behind this quote (1 Peter 2:4-5) in my message this weekend. To leave a comment or question, follow this link.