broken yet beautiful

Earlier today, I was walking along a beach with my daughter gathering seashells. She was intent on finding certain kinds. While she was intently searching, I walked along and looked for some that matched her specifications. I found a shell that was lovely. It was iridescent on the inside and just shone when the light hit it just right. It was, however, flawed as a piece was broken out of it.  As I was holding it and admiring the pretty colors. God spoke to me. "You may be broken and have gone through things that intend to break you, but you are still beautiful to me. You mine and I love you. I see the beauty and find great joy in my child. I can also heal the brokenness."  I stood on that beach and cried. You see, the last few months have broken me. I have never felt so broken. I have struggled to bring praise in the circumstances. I have not lost my hope in Jesus and I know He is my answer. He is my provider, my shield and my comforter. I have run to him and told him of my pain and my needs. He knows what I have endured. God is so good to me. I know that beyond a shadow of doubt. BUT today, God reminded me that I am still beautiful to Him. He still heals the hurt and pain. He hears the cry of our heart.

 Psalm 43:5 says, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

David often wrote about the cry of his soul, of the pain, yet turned to praise every time. He still trusted in God. I know I can trust in God to heal the hurt and restore the broken. God has promised he will never leave us, nor forsake us. He is the God that does the impossible. It does not matter how impossible a situation may appear, God can perform miracles. He can do what we cannot. 

I am so grateful that God can still take an unexpected moment and remind me of his love for me. He knows what I need, and when I need it. God knows the broken, yet still sees the beauty. He heals the hurt. 

Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

He give beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning. He will give us the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. He takes what we carry and gives something better. He can take our cares because He cares for us. Lay it down at his feet and he will take over with his peace, joy, and praise shall come forth. He will be glorified through our story.

the good news

This Easter I was thinking about Nicodemus. That may seem strange but when we read about him in John chapter 3, Nicodemus came to Jesus by night to find out who he was. He had questions. He wanted to know if Jesus was the promised Messiah. He asked questions. When Jesus responded "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."  He was struggling to comprehend this message. He asked, "How can these things be?" Jesus gave him an explanation including the famous verse, John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  We need this message. This is the good news.  Jesus came to save this world. He came knowing the outcome of his life. He knew he would die on that cross in excruciating physical pain. He bore all our sins and suffered. We don't have an explanation of what Nicodemus thought about that message. He was so worried about his reputation in John chapter three that he came secretly and did not want anyone to know he was talking with Jesus.  We get to hear about Nicodemus once again in John chapter 19. Jesus had been crucified and had died.  Joseph of Arimathaea asked for his body and in verse 19 "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight." Nicodemus does not seem embarrassed any longer to be of service to Jesus. I wonder if he believed in Jesus as the Messiah. I think about the fear and worry of Nicodemus and how often I have been fearful of sharing the gospel with someone. We allow fear to prevent our testimony. We allow fear to hinder us from sharing the good news of Jesus to someone who may really need to know Jesus.  Nicodemus was afraid at the beginning, but ended up appearing bold at a time that being a follower of Jesus could have meant death.  He became bold in his care and love of Jesus.  I would love to know more about Nicodemus and his life.  But I do know that God recorded his act of love after the cross. God intended for us to know that Nicodemus did not continue in fear.  We do not need to be afraid to share the gospel of Jesus.The good news that He came to save us! He loves us! He is with us and he empowers us to be the light to this world. Walk in boldness!  Walk in the power we receive from the message that Jesus died and he rose again!   He came to give us life and life more abundantly. What a great gift!  Easter is the time to know and understand the greatest gift given to this world. Jesus came, died, rose again and lives today to save us!