Most of my teenage years and through my twenties, I managed to accumulate a large amount of baggage in my life.
I found myself on the run from myself and from my reality.
In fact, I moved 5000 miles from my home just to try and become who I thought I could be.
In my island paradise, I found myself crumpled up on the bathroom floor crying out, “I am a good girl.”
Who I had become was the girl that had added to the mess daily and covered it up with a smile on her face.
Now that I look back on it, I can see the Lord and His hand in my life, clutching me tight, not willing to let go. My many decisions should have turned out much more disastrous than they did.
My one regret was grieving
My God.
My Lord.
My Father.
I had given my life to Christ when I was a preteen but lived my life completely for myself. We have been given free will to do just as we please and that is exactly how I lived.
I grew up going to church. I knew all the right things to do and say but I had driven a great divide between my fellowship with God in my life.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2
The Rock on which I now know I can stand firm on, never left me. As far away as I felt, the truth was I was the one who drifted away. Not God.
I know this to be true of God. He can turn your messes into something He can use for His purpose.
What Christ did for me was took a hold of my life in a way that I could not have expected. He found a way to draw me back to Him. Of Course, there can be consequences for our behaviors but God can use it for our good, for His Glory.
What Christ did for me was turn my past into a passion. A passion for sharing His redemptive never-ending love and how it reaches far beyond our mess.
I can rest my hope in who He says I am and not on my past or my mistakes.
He takes our ashes and turns them into beauty.
He will replace our grieving with joyous blessing.
Instead of living a life in despair, even when we have driven ourselves there, He will replace it with Praise.
He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and no matter our situation, He is willing, upon repentance, to restore all of our brokenness.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD's favor has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:2-3
Do you have a past you wish you could erase or escape the shame? Have you faced circumstances in which you need restoration?
My friends, there is hope! I am a testament to the Living God that offers restoration to the broken. A God who is in the business of making all things new.
Are you ready to take the steps into trusting a God that seeks your heart? To love you and make you whole again?
He is simply a conversation away. He is waiting to hear from you.
Cry out to the Lord who reigns in both Heaven and Earth.
Seek Him and you will find Him when you seek Him with all of your heart. Deuteronomy 4:29
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This week's featured friend is Debbie Jackson from Bible Fun For Kids. Debbie has such wonderful ideas for kids lessons. They are all complete with the lesson to teach and the activity to go along with it with color pictures. If you are looking for kids activities or a particular story stop by her page where you are sure to find engaging Bible resources. Thanks for sharing with us every week, Debbie. I am glad you are here.
While you're here, sit down with some of my friends.
WOW! I know Summer is busy so I thank you all for coming here and for the 83 Amazing posts. This party has been wonderful and it is thanks to you, friends, who link-up with us and those who stop by and read and SHARE! Thank you!
You all are amazing writers who share DIY's, Recipes, Photos, Giveaways, Homeschool and Family and Faith. Many of you have amazing journeys of faith and I praise the Lord we are able to connect here!
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Labels: Beauty for Ashes, Deuteronomy 4:29, Isaiah 61:2-3, Psalm 40:2, Restoration in Christ Alone
He takes our ashes and turns them into beauty. 
