Lord, make us like Thee.  Mold us into Thy likeness.

Molding, My children, means cutting and chiseling.  It means sacrifice of the personal to conform to type.  It is not only My work but yours.

The swift recognition of the selfish in your desires and motives, actions, words and thoughts, and the instant appeal to Me for help to eradicate that.

It is a work that requires cooperation – Mine and yours.  It is a work that brings much sense of failure and discouragement too, at times, because, as the work proceeds, you see more and more clearly all that yet remains to be done.

Shortcomings you had hardly recognized or at least for which you had had no sense of sorrow, now cause you trouble and dismay.

Courage.  That is in itself a sign of progress.

Patience, not only with others, but each of you, with herself

As you see the slow progress upward made by you, in spite of your longing and struggle, you will gain a divine patience with others whose imperfections trouble you.

So on and up.  Forward.  Patience – Perseverance – Struggle.  Remember that I am beside you, your Captain and your Helper.  So tender, so patient, so strong.

Yes, we cooperate and as I share your troubles, failures, difficulties, heartaches, so as My friends, you share My patience, and My strength – beloved.

And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter, so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.   Jeremiah 18:4