This morning my eyes were drawn to the portrait so beautifully framed as a gift to me that’s hanging on my dining room wall. It captured my attention this day like never before.
The teenage artist Gabriella from central California was bringing forth a message thru the gift she has been given by God. The sketch in which she titled Oh No! What Have I Done, made my mind ponder the terrible mess this young artist was thinking about when she was painting this portrait.
Standing in muddy waters this once beautiful girl now with a tattered pink dress had a look of despair. She was now glaring at her right hand as she realizes her life has been tainted by sin.
She had gotten herself in a bad situation, a dark place, a frightening dilemma that was now beyond her own control. Only God himself could help her and put her life’s journey on a better course.
On the back of the portrait were the Bible verses 1Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good habits.” Also Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove that is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
These scriptures say it well if we only would have adhered to them. However, we all have made poor choices, bad decisions and sometimes just plain old stupid mistakes. I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father that died on a cross for us when we were yet sinners.
I thank God for his grace; he so mercifully gives to each of us. I remember being at a crossroad just like the girl in the portrait. Many words were spoken about my past sins and hurtful words about my current appearance. I no longer wore the size someone else thought it should be and yes as a teenager I had made some bad choices as well.
It did leave its mark on my life, but years ago I had met Jesus, my redeemer. I looked in the mirror the very next morning as I was preparing for work. Applying the makeup that would cover the tear stained face from the painful words that were spoken; I talked to God, the Creator of the Universe about how he saw me. I remember that morning just like it was this morning. Beautiful was his reply.
I then quickly found a pen and paper to write and this is what flowed:
Ashes No More
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Creator of my image
Lifter of my head
My name is Beautiful
Woman, pure holy undefiled.Sanctified, set apart
Journeying with Jesus.A path narrow and straight
Ashes no more.Trusting her master-her maker
The lover of her soul.
Skipping on the journey with childlike faith
Believing her father knows what’s best.The morning dew, the night’s crisp air
Reminds her of the kisses from above.Jesus, the ultimate man
The lover of her soul.Beautiful, a receiver of his glory.
Ashes No More.
I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father that speaks to his children and sets the course of destiny for each of our lives. Today, no matter what you have done, where you have been, or where you now find yourself, know that you are loved. Just like the girl with the tattered pink dress that sin had left its mark, today Jesus is saying; come journey with me and let me give you a new beginning, I am your redeemer.
Let’s Pray,
Father, I thank you for the word of God (Bible). I thank you that you are our redeemer. Thank you for paying the ultimate price for our sins. Thank you for grace. Lord, today I pray for every girl, every woman that is caught in a bad situation that needs intervention. For every person today oh God that sin has lefts its mark, I pray by the power of your Holy Spirit you draw them to yourself and may they know you as their redeemer. I pray for shackles to be broken all across this globe. May the love of Christ flow freely to people I pray, as you write BEAUTIFUL created in my image (God) on their mirror this day. Jesus, the ultimate man, the lover of our soul’s thank you for new beginnings this day, I pray, Amen.
