Beauty from Ashes ...

Sometimes I feel like my life is in ashes, you know kind of a shambles, all fallen apart and not sure how to get it back on track. Sometimes I can't figure out how I got "HERE" in this place, single with 3 kids, mess after mess to clean up (physically and emotionally), small business owner, a past that is in many respects "shameful." At times it feels like there is nothing left of it to salvage. How will I ever redirect it and get it back on track? How will I use it to bring glory to my creator the one who has made me, fashioned me in His likeness, the creator who has the hairs on my head numbered.  How will it ever be the beautiful life I dreamed of. You know the "American dream"  house on a hill, white picket fence, dog named spot, minivan kind of dream? I was recently talking with a friend - I REALLY REALLY wish I could remember who it was who said this (and if you are reading this and you remember talking with me about it PLEASE speak up!) ONLY God can bring BEAUTY from the ASHES .... ahaaa moment it was my sweet new friend Amanda! ok, had to give credit where credit is due ... When something is just broken it is the same object in many pieces, Each broken piece maintains the same basic properties and thus it can be put back together and have the same basic properties. When something is burned, the properties are all broken down, the chemical makeup is changed and it can no longer be what it was - We as humans cannot take those ashes and fashion it into a useful object different from what it started it out as.  ONLY God can take the ashes and give you something beautiful in return. I have been witness to these transformations before, the marriage that was "dead" because one or both of the partners made horrible decisions, the addict who had lived for 20 years clinging to his "drug of choice", the girl who was completely given over to an eating disorder and in turn was killing her body and spirit.  God has worked over and over in all those situations to make Beautiful the Ashes left from the burning fire that breaks us down. He is doing that in my life. He is changing my dreams to line up with His will for my life, He is rebuilding something beautiful just for my little family so that we would bring HIM glory! Thank you God! Take the ashes which I have created myself in my own choices and decisions and create something BEAUTIFUL that it would glorify YOU!

What about you are you tired and worn? burned into ashes from trying to do it all on your own? Are you ready to handover your ashes and wait at His feet while he creates Beauty from what you once thought was destroyed?  I would love the opportunity to pray with you as you wait. Please feel free to leave a comment below you can be as specific or general as you like. Or if you have a story of hope I would love to hear that as well.

Gotta LOVE Bible Gateway
Isaiah 61:3
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor

Peace and Blessings
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