Odd

We have an iron gate the opens into our courtyard. It is custom made with large grape leaves painted a nutmeg brown. Buddy and I go out it at least 5 times a day. Funny how you take something for granted and don't really look at it.
Well ,yesterday, Jon commented that some of the leaves are showing rust. I had not noticed and neither had Buddy, for that matter. This morning Jon proceeded to sand and repaint the whole gate, taking special care with the rust spots. It really looks nice.
I began to wonder why some of the leaves showed rust spots but most did not. What was the determining factor? They were all in the same place and obviously had the some amount of rain and sun.
Then my overactive mind went to Christians. They too can show various signs of wear, some more than others. Why? They all have the same Holy Spirit, whose job it is to make them more and more like Christ. They all have the Word to transform their thinking. But they, also all have a free will and can cooperate or not as they choose. The ones who allow sanding and refinishing by trials and don't whine but rest in the Father's love come forth like gold. The others, who wiggle and gripe, begin to show rust spots and will eventually require deeper sanding and repainting. They only make it hard on themselves.
So the next walk I take I am going to ask God to reveal which kind of believer I am, the pliable one he can form easily to His our image or the griper who required extensive work.