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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: JOIE DE VIVRE (delight in being alive) (08/18/16)
Beauty for ashes
I was walking along the harbor beach. The view of Lake Michigan is especially beautiful in the summer. The weather was perfect. The water a glassy turquoise, mimicking the bracelet I was wearing. Reflecting the creamy color of the blue skies.

I walk this beach regularly. But today I found an empty bench to sit and reshuffle my soul. I just needed an ordinary moment. I welcomed the simple.

I watched runners, walkers and talkers. I watched couples, singles and friends. I watched rollerbladers floating by in rhythmic sways. The stillness and the ordinary of the moment was what I needed.

I had lost my joy.

The last few months were exhausting. The pain and struggle of the past circumstances had left me wondering if I had misunderstood Gods direction. I thought I was helping. I was pouring into her life for close to two years. But my kindness and sacrifice seemed wasted.

I tried. I really tried to make a difference. I never doubted God was calling me. I was grateful to be able to bless her. I had been so blessed.

What do you do when you give your best and your best gets trampled?

I was left holding a pile of ashes. The ashes of what felt epic. A failure.

I was constantly getting my hands dirty. Walking with the broken was my hearts desire. But often messy and hard with no easy answers.

"Uncover the dirt, Lord." I prayed. I need my joy back.

On that bench I began to sense that God wasn't monitoring my gain or loss, my pass or failure. He was offering love and grace.

The quiet whisper was more about drawing me into his presence. My broken heart was an offering, the bench my altar.

Maybe my obedience was enough. Oswald chambers said it best "let the consequences of your obedience be left up to God."

I sensed a digging deep. I quietly begged God for joie de vivre!

I had planted seeds. Seeds of faith. Now my prayer was that others would enter in, to water and nourish those seeds.

Isaiah 61:3 says - To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

He took my cup of ashes and returned it with a cup of praise. He was not finished with us yet. He had just begun.

I want to plant more seeds. Getting my hands dirty is still an option. Walking with the broken still my desire.

His promise is still true. Those seeds of faith that were planted, will grow deep roots to be oaks for His glory!
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jody Day 
08/25/16
His promise IS still true! Enjoyed this piece. Watch the passive verbs. Perhaps 'the bracelet I wore' rather than 'was wearing'. Also, 'I needed the stillness and the ordinary of the moment' rather than 'was what I needed'. It's stronger without them. Good job, keep writing!
C D Swanson 
08/26/16
Amen and Amen!
Excellent!

God bless~
Larry Whittington
08/28/16
"Come unto me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

I liked the short paragraphs. It was easy to read. Your thought expressed your feelings well. The beach painted a picture of peacefulness when looking beyond the inner pain.

God works not only in our lives but also in others. What comes to one person may not be what comes to the other. What God is wanting to accomplish in one may be different from what He wishes to accomplish in the other and each takes it own measures.

Well written. Faithfully use your gift to the measure given, let God deal with the results when you do your part.

Keep your heart in heaven and your eyes in his word.