I expect the beauty to be in the finished product.
After you've scraped the popcorn from above, and torn down walls from places
uninvited. After the new paint is rolled on, and the shiny counter tops glisten
brand new.
I expect the beauty to be seen in the healthy,
happy life of marriage and family. When all is well and all are laughing. These
things- they are good.
But I saw the beauty in the midst of the ugly. I
saw one after another come into that hospital. Into the cold, stale, stench of
sickness. They came, they prayed, they anointed, they blessed. This is the work
of a beautiful God in an ugly world. And He's at work all around. All the time.
I see the beauty of tearing down walls and
scraping old mud. Breaking through layers and layers of colors and years. There's
a story behind each one. Many stories. Each one beautiful, because even in the
trials and storms, difficulties, and take-my-breath-away failures, He is
beautifying His people.
Whether it's plowing into drywall, or plowing into
my comfortable little life with plans supposing to go just so, beauty is within
and beneath the plastic paint and layers of cover-ups. And sometimes He allows
us to be broken up a little or a lot. Either way, there's beauty in there. And
this is His business. This is Beauty-full business.
(Writing today with the community at Lisa-Jo's
where we love to just write without
worrying if it's just right or not.
Set the timer for five minutes and write on this prompt- Beautiful. Then come
share with us.)
This is a lovely post, we often find the beautiful within the broken.
ReplyDeleteYes, we do, but only if we are willing to see it. I almost want to welcome more broken, just to see His beauty. Thanks for the visit, AGirlOntheDoorstep.
DeleteThank you for this poignant reminder that beauty is found in all of life.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for you visit and your comment, Nicole. Blessings to you.
DeleteI love finding beauty in things that need to be restored. Especially my 80 year old home. I think God put that desire to seek and find beauty on the inside each one of us, just in different ways. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy it too. There's something about the searching and the hard work that makes it that much more special. And memorable. Just thankful He fashioned us to crave Him and His. Thanks for your visit and comment, Kimberly.
DeleteThis post makes me think of all the times that are hard, scary or devastating, yet God can make them beautiful. Whether it's a terrible storm that tore apart your town and everyone coming together to help one another or a terrible accident that changed lives and everyone banded together to make sure you are taken care of. God makes something beautiful out of the ashes, out of the dust.
ReplyDeleteJess
Goodness, you would definitely know about this wouldn't you. Finding beauty in the destruction seems to be something you've walked through. Not only walked through but come out the other side and are being used to encourage others. Praise Him for that! Thanks for the visit, Jess, and I enjoyed checking out your space, and your story!
Deleteabsolutely beautiful!
ReplyDelete<3
Thank you, Rachel :)
DeleteHis work can be long and tedious just like construction, but the end result is marvelous!!! Visiting from FMF Have an awesome weekend! http://www.anestfullofsquishers.com/2013/07/five-minute-friday-beautiful.html
ReplyDeleteAnd that's usually what it is. Not sure why I let myself get in such a hurry. Time and time again :) He is never in a hurry and His ways are perfect. When it comes down to it, I am incredibly thankful for these opportunities; opportunities to see Him at work and to really, really trust Him in a difficult time. Trusting Him when there is no one else to lean on or go to. Only Him. I think He likes it that way. Thanks for the visit, Andi :)
DeleteSo sorry we weren't here when your life was "interrupted", but as we are hearing the details, we are so thankful for the body of Christ and how they cared for you all! Blessings, sister, and soon we'll swap stories.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to swap stories, but really I just want to sit with you and hear all of yours. I loved, loved, loved that you had internet, at least part of the time, while in India! And I'm so grateful to have you back. Can we please, actually make a real coffee date and visit? Soon :)
Delete(Don't tell anyone, but I actually welcome this "interruption." I haven't had time like this with my hubby in so long!)