Friday {in focus} ~ Beauty from Ashes

There's nothing like a campfire to warm your soul. The smoky wood scent, the wisps of blue flame licking at the wood, the crevices formed as the heat gets into the heart of the log...

it's all so soothing to watch.

Yet it's an entirely other thing to experience. When the Holy Spirit sets your heart on fire

for the things of God, the experience is at first elating. There's an excitement, an expectation.

Until the flames reach the inner parts of our beings. Until refinement begins.

Then it hurts. Burns. Scorches. 

Leaving us charred and wondering what beauty could come of these ashes.

But God...He always finishes what He starts. And we find healing. Life. Freedom. Love.

And faith.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me

To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,

To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness, 

The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

Isaiah 61:1-3 

Revisiting ~ You Are Beautiful

This beautiful girl went to school this morning with puffy eyes and a red face. Her rather large tears flowed down freckled cheeks over how "hideous" her shoes were. Her sneaker laces possessed floppy bunny ears that nearly touched the floor. "People are going to stare at my shoes."

It's school picture day.

"Your sneakers won't be in your picture, but your smile will." I tried consoling her, but the tears kept flowing. Finally, I said, "You're a beautiful girl."

Her tears increased, and she spouted, "Other girls are prettier than I am."

It seems no matter how often I proclaim her beauty, she either can't believe it or won't believe it. People tell me every day how beautiful she is. Yet she can't seem to see the beauty within herself.

How often do we, as women, doubt our own God-given beauty? How often do we complain about the size of our hips, the lack of a backside, or the muffin top that rolls over the top of our jeans each morning? How often do we wish we had long hair, short hair, curly hair, or straight hair? Do we buy green contacts to cover up everyday blue eyes? Do we smear cover up across our nose and cheeks to hide freckles? Do we wear 5" spike heals wishing we were 5'8" instead of 5'3? Do we slouch in photos, feeling as if we tower over the four people in the photo with us?

Why is it so difficult for women to feel secure in the beauty that God designed them with? We are all unique creatures. No two are alike, not even identical twins. Whether we're looking at our inner beauty or our outer beauty, we should be looking for God's reflection in our reflection. He doesn't make junk. His creation is beautiful, and there is something beautiful in each one of us.

It's time to acknowledge that we are beautiful, each and every one of us. And we are His. Daughters of the King. Loved for who He created us to be, not how we or others see ourselves. Quit comparing yourself to others. Find your image in Him, and you'll see the beauty within yourself.

Before she exited the car this morning, I reminded my daughter of this truth: God made each of us beautiful and in His image. None is more beautiful than the other. We each have unique qualities about us. And they point us to Him.

You Are Beautiful!

This beautiful girl went to school this morning with puffy eyes and a red face. Her rather large tears flowed down freckled cheeks over how "hideous" her shoes were. Her sneaker laces possessed floppy bunny ears that nearly touched the floor. "People are going to stare at my shoes."

It's school picture day.

"Your sneakers won't be in your picture, but your smile will." I tried consoling her, but the tears kept flowing. Finally, I said, "You're a beautiful girl."

Her tears increased, and she spouted, "Other girls are prettier than I am."

It seems no matter how often I proclaim her beauty, she either can't believe it or won't believe it. People tell me every day how beautiful she is. Yet she can't seem to see the beauty within herself.

How often do we, as women, doubt our own God-given beauty? How often do we complain about the size of our hips, the lack of a backside, or the muffin top that rolls over the top of our jeans each morning? How often do we wish we had long hair, short hair, curly hair, or straight hair? Do we buy green contacts to cover up everyday blue eyes? Do we smear cover up across our nose and cheeks to hide freckles? Do we wear 5" spike heals wishing we were 5'8" instead of 5'3? Do we slouch in photos, feeling as if we tower over the four people in the photo with us?

Why is it so difficult for women to feel secure in the beauty that God designed them with? We are all unique creatures. No two are alike, not even identical twins. Whether we're looking at our inner beauty or our outer beauty, we should be looking for God's reflection in our reflection. He doesn't make junk. His creation is beautiful, and there is something beautiful in each one of us.

It's time to acknowledge that we are beautiful, each and every one of us. And we are His. Daughters of the King. Loved for who He created us to be, not how we or others see ourselves. Quit comparing yourself to others. Find your image in Him, and you'll see the beauty within yourself.

Before she exited the car this morning, I reminded my daughter of this truth: God made each of us beautiful and in His image. None is more beautiful than the other. We each have unique qualities about us. And they point us to Him.