Beauty for Ashes

I can count on two hands how many times in my life I’ve spent with my grandmother.  Growing up times were tough and living in a different state didn’t make seeing her easy.  But even though I’ve had so little time with her in my thirty-seven years, I feel so deeply connected to her because of our paths in life and how similar the roads we have walked are.   I’ve been trying to find the words for this image and the one thing I keep hearing is faith.  I’ll never forget this day over the summer, when my grandmother and I sat at her kitchen table and she proudly showed me her rosaries.  I suppose after her eighty-eight years, her faith is what has kept her going all this time.  It carried her through the loss of a marriage after almost a decade due to infidelity, becoming a single mama until the day she met and married my grandfather.  I can imagine her faith is what calmed her fears and anxiety and wiped her tears after a hard day.  I know her f...

To tell you my story, I would need to first tell you of Him.  I would speak of His love and kindness; His mercy and grace.  I would tell you how He wanted me just as I was; broken and lost with no clue where to go or who to turn to.  I would tell you His plans are always better than anything you can dream up for yourself.  And even though it may not feel like your life is going the way it should, in His eyes, it is unfolding beautifully.   To tell you my story, I would need to first tell you of Him.  How He took my pain and sorrow, my broken heart and the relentless storms and in turn gave me beauty for those ashes.  I would tell you that at the time, walking in the wilderness may feel like torture, but His light always finds you just as the canopy is closing in.  And it isn’t until you can look back in hindsight, do you fully understand and see just how He was working it all out for your good.   To tell you my story, I would need t...

Lord, Take these boys, into your hands. Protect them and guide them,  The best way you can. Be their light, When the path gets too dark. I don't want them to lose their way, when life gets too hard. Be their rock, When the ground gets too soft. I pray they stand on your promises, That are hidden in their heart. This world can be trying, And I know they'll do their best. Please be that safe place for them, To come sit and rest. Lord, take these boys, Into your hands. I'm standing on your promises, To love them better than I can.

Adversity has taught me a lot over the years.  It's been ruthless, unfair, and honestly so many other things that I could go on for days.  But what I didn't anticipate was finding the beauty in the midst of it all.  Adversity led me to my faith and relationship with God.  It led me to the most loyal and truthful friendships I have ever had.  Adversity has shown me my strength and just how resilient my heart is.   As I continue to journey along the path of life, I feel as though I am met with adversity around every corner; and to be honest, that adversity always has to do with my past.  My past has this idea that it is okay to follow me wherever I go; trying to knock me down and destroy who I am and take any good thing from my future.  So I found myself always running from it.  I ran in hopes of it never catching up to me.  But you want to know the truth?  The truth is, I sto...