Beauty from ashes

 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.~ Isaiah 61:3

Jesus is the reason why I have beauty from my ashes.  He is the reason why I wear a garment of praise instead of despair.  He has planted me allowed me to flourish to the praise of His glory.  This girl, as one of my friends often says, this God's girl has come a long way and it because of Jesus. Its because of what He did on the Cross.  He died for my sins and redeemed me with His blood so that I could be free.  So that I would no longer be oppressed by sin and the enemy.

I once wandered from God.  I was dressed in self-pity and shame.  I would come home from work and welcome the darkness.  I was trying to hide.  I was a believer who had lost her way because I believed the lies of the enemy.  I was in the mud and I hated myself, but God.  He continued to love on me and put people in my path that gave me purpose ( His purpose).  He pulled me out of miry clay and placed my feet on the firm rock (Psalm 40:2-4).  He took the ashes of my life and made something beautiful.

He opened His arms wide to His prodigal daughter and kissed my forehead.  He loved me and forgave me.  He restored me and every day I live in His grace and mercy.  As David said in Psalm 23, my cup runneth over. Thank You Jesus.

Lord Yo took the worse moments in my life and transformed them and me.  You took what I had lit am match to because of sin and rebuilt it  to something even better.  You are a great God and worship You.  Thank you for redemptive love.  In Jesus name, Amen