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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Blog (10/20/11)
It was recommended in my writer’s group that we start blogs to build our platform. Mine is called Ears In The Cornfield which is something my mother used to say when us kids were around and she couldn’t talk about certain things. It is not about writing and I haven’t shared parts of my memoir, novel or devotional. Okay, maybe the devotional. I share about the events that inspire my writing and my mother who inspired my faith.

As for my platform? It’s not what I hoped for. I didn’t have visions of grandeur or anything as if my blog would be the next Julie and Julia (the story of a woman who blogged her way through Julia Child’s cookbook) but I did hope for more than I have. I have 11 followers. Yes, that is 2 digits. I post my blog on Facebook and get some readers that way but they don’t become followers. I have thought of quitting. But I’m enjoying it. Besides when I think of quitting I’ll get a comment that says my post made that person’s day. So now it’s your turn to enjoy today’s post.

Back To The Glory Hole


My morning routine involves the morning news, coffee (notice I didn't say a cup) and whatever HGTV has to offer that day. This morning it was a re-run of That's Clever!

One of the featured artists was Jeff Price, a glass blower from my hometown of Santa Ana, California. Today he was making an ornament and he explained that the reheating chamber (a very hot furnace) was called the glory hole. As he worked on the piece he said that when the glass gets too cold to work with he has to take it back to the glory hole. He kept saying, “Back to the glory hole.”

That got me to thinking. How often does my faith grow cold? Are the trials and heartache due to God putting me in His glory hole so He can work with me?

Jeff used a long pole to get the glass out of the furnace and to put it in the glory hole. He had to keep his distance because of the heat. But then he sat at his work bench with the glass right next to him as he shaped it with the jack.

When I am in the midst of a trial I feel as if God is distant. And when I realize he is working on me I am grateful that He'd care to put the effort into the hot mess that I am. I am grateful so I feel Him near. He is shaping me. I may have to go back and forth to the glory hole during the process but He IS Shaping Me.

When Jeff had finished shaping his piece and attached extra glass that he shaped into a hanger so the ornament could be put on display he put it in the annealing oven. This is an oven that allows the glass to be cooled slowly so it won't break.

It takes me time after a trial to really realize what God has done. I wonder about it all through the process and when the worst of it (the reheating) is over I am not always sure what has just happened. He brought me through and was with me during the process but for what purpose. Sometimes my heart is in the annealing oven longer than other times.

Oh, and I didn't even mention the torch Jeff used which is HOTTER than the glory hole. It is used to smooth the glass and bring out the color. All in all, Jeff put in alot of time in a hot studio to make one little ornament.

God is just as willing to patiently and skillfully work on little ol' me. He knows which oven to use and how much time is needed being reheated. He always picks up the right tool to shape me. And He knows how much frit (broken pieces of glass) and which colors to use to make the one of a kind ornament that is me. Hopefully I will display His glory.
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This article has been read 772 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
11/03/11
This was an interesting read and my heart emphathized with you. As writers, we do want to touch the world with our thoughts. We never know how many people will be touched by our experiences so keep writing.

I think your weakest criteria was creativity. Though, I haven't read too many stories yet, I imagine many people will use an example of a blog.

I noted a few minor errors: it should be we kid not us kids (but I love the title of the blog; I'd never heard of that one before)also if you use the phrase a lot make sure it is two words.

Keep writing and don't get discouraged. We all have days when we want to quit but God has given you this particular talent because He knows how strong you are!
Allison Egley 
11/06/11
I love the comparisons you make between our lives and the glass ornaments.

I would have perhaps started out a bit differently. Start out with the glass maker saying "Back into the glory hole!" then then go back to explain. It's a better "hook" to draw the reader in.

Good job with this one, and some good reminders.
C D Swanson 
11/09/11
This was cute! I liked it. I thought it had a good message too. God Bless~
Noel Mitaxa 
11/09/11
Very clear and pertinent parallels in your work, though the intro took a little more space than it needed, especially when you had so much strong material for us to take in.
Leola Ogle
11/10/11
I loved the analogy in this piece. It causes one to ponder about the trials we face and God's purpose is to refine us and make us a beautiful ornament for all to see. God bless!
Terry Lee
11/11/11
I was not a fan of the term Glory Hole until I learned what it meant (can't explain why, just rubbed me wrong).

I loved the analogy and loved this as a devotional however, as a challenge piece themed 'blog' I would have liked to see you tie the metaphore back to your blog in the end. It seemed like the piece became more about your faith than your blog.

I loved your conversational tone, writing as if you were speaking, which made me feel comfortable and enjoying the conversation.
Edmond Ng
11/15/11
An excellent devotional for blogging, but not focused on the topic. I especially like the part explaining the reheating. God's molding process helps keep our hearts burning, never to grow cold. Your story illustrates the meaning of the Bible verse, "But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10 NAS) very well. God bless.