BEAUTY FOR ASHES

I’m frequently searching for toys to keep my little shih tzu, Patrick Henry, entertained. His newest toy is a braided rope with knots on the end. He and I play a game with it daily. The game goes something like this: I throw rope, he retrieves rope, he runs back with rope firmly in mouth, he doesn’t let go of rope, I forcefully wrestle and pry rope out of mouth, I throw rope again, repeat.

All of this rope wrestling and prying reminds me of God’s promises. Now stay with me here and let me explain. When God promises us something, it’s important for us to hold on, and unlike Patrick, never let them go. 

I have a promise that I am holding onto for dear life. “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.” Isaiah 61:3a (NLT)

I recently lost my Mom and, quite frankly, I’m tired of ashes, mourning, and despair. I’m counting on God to come through with His promise of beauty, joy, and praise. He already has in many ways. The loss of my Mom has brought my father, siblings, and me closer to each other than ever before. I now spend a couple of days a week with my Dad and I’ve rediscovered the joy that the family farm gives me. I’ve begun talking candidly with my Dad about things I put off saying to my Mom like: “I’m so glad I’m your daughter” and “You’ve done an excellent job in raising me” and “I wouldn’t change a thing about my childhood” and “You know, Dad, God has plans for you”. 

The Bible is filled with numerous promises from our heavenly Father.  Promises that are ours and should never be wrestled or pried from us. So go on, open His Word, retrieve His promises, take them firmly in your heart, and hold onto them and never let go.