Beauty for Ashes

I have been quiet for the last few days, reflecting on my life.  Not picking up my camera or feeling inspired to create but to just be.  I’ve been still, trying to listen for God and His guidance through this new season of life for us.  Yesterday, I awoke in a new place, a new city with my husband by my side; and as we set out to explore, I was reminded of all God’s goodness in my life.  He led us here for something, at this moment it was to these flowers basking in His light; giving them what they need to thrive and grow.  And as His children, He does the same for us; giving us just what we need to flourish throughout our lives too.  My friends, God works in mysterious ways, and His ways are always good.  I am learning, the longer I follow Him how important it is to take those steps of faith towards His will and purpose; no matter what that looks like or how hard it may be or even what people may think or say.  The steps of faith forward far...

Loss can teach us so many things.  And to each of us, loss can look differently.  For me, the loss I experienced was of my former hopes and dreams and time with my children because of divorce.  I’ve also experienced the gut-wrenching loss of two unborn babies.  To some, loss could be death or a broken relationship.  It could be a job or something more sentimental like treasured old photographs or a childhood home.  Whatever the loss you are experiencing, it has such tremendous power to teach us what is most important if we allow it to.   The power of forgiveness.  The sound of a laugh.  The realization of just how much someone means to us.  Loss can teach us the beauty of a moment.  The smell of a mother’s perfume.  To pay attention to the little things and just be present.  When we experience loss of any kind, we have a choice.  We can either look at all that we don’t have or the blessing of what we do.  I ...

The last couple of days, I’ve found myself asking God for a normal life again.  I find myself asking God to take me out of the situations I keep getting put into.  I keep asking for a different life all together.   I know I’m only asking these things because I’m so weary; I’m tired and beat down from the storms that blow into my life out of nowhere and without warning.  I just want a season without struggle; one where I can rest and recharge in His presence without the enemy coming to disturb me.  Now I know that is unrealistic thinking and that when I took up my cross to follow Jesus I knew what that meant.  But the constant turbulence has me about ready to give up.   But then, I’m shown Isaiah 43: 2 this morning in my devotion.   "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set...

You’ll forget your troubles; they’ll be like old, faded photographs.  Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dayspring.  Full of hope, you’ll relax, confident again; you’ll look around, sit back, and take it easy.  Job 11:16-18 Like an old photograph, your troubles will fade.  Becoming a distant memory of what once was and never will be again.  For the last seven years of my life, the trials and storms have been relentless; and much of my life and the moments a blur.  I have felt like I have been living going through the motions just to survive my every day.  And though I don’t want to have to walk through hardships, it’s part of who I am.  It’s part of why I was built.  I write about struggle and heartache because I know that there is someone out there who needs hope.  Who needs to know that they are not alone during these hard times.  I write because I know what it feels like to be lost and hurting...

With all the bad that has happened in my life, I can honestly say right now, today, that it’s okay.  And even though my life doesn’t look anything like I imagined it would, it’s far better than anything I could have dreamt up for myself.  You see, God is writing my story.  Not the people trying to hurt me.  Not the enemy who wants me to go back to the defeated woman I once was.  God is writing every word and chapter of my life.  Knowing that He is in my corner brings me comfort.  It brings me strength.  It brings me an immense amount of joy regardless of what is happening around me.  I am not nor will I ever be defined by my circumstances.  I am confident that my God will redeem and restore everything that was lost and taken from me.  And one day my family will once again be restored and the truth will be set free.  Despite the bad that keeps happening, I know that God will use it for good.  That what was meant to harm ...