threadbare beauty

 “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:3

 My Abba,

You greet me with another eager summer day brimming with possibility. The sunlight illuminates thousands of jade, olive and emerald leaves as they dance in a gentle breeze outside my window. I see, once again, the beauty you have created by speaking this all into being.

I only have a glimpse of who you are, but I know you are beautiful because what you make is beautiful.

This beauty I see in creation, I also see in the ways you are re-creating others and me. You are bringing new life out of the withered places in our lives. You are magnificent in your power and compassion, as you do this work in us.

Thank you that you did not leave us here to work this out on our own. We do not have your resources or abilities. We do not stand a chance of truly re-creating ourselves in our own strength. But if you spoke the universe into being out of nothing, I know you can make awe-inspiring transformation visible in our lives.

 So this is my paraphrase of Hebrews 11:3 for my life: 

By faith I understand that what will be seen in me in the future will not be made out of what is visible right now.

This is encouraging truth. I don’t have to see the transformed one, who looks more like you, right now, to know that she is on the way. I look forward to getting to know the “me” I will be.

Please continue to re-create me day by day through your glorious power!

I love you,

Mollie

My child,

I am not limited in any way when I create or re-create. I don’t need superior tools or specific materials to create beauty. Every time I re-create a life, it is simply my desire, love and power that bring something new into being.

If you wonder how I can possibly do this, you are probably more focused on the broken fragments of a life, than the skill of the artist. Consider what my hands have already made.

I love to create and re-create. It is my joy to take all the broken pieces of your life and make a beautiful, glistening mosaic, which points to my perfection. I don’t want others to have to sift through the wreckage to see me in you. I want my luminous beauty in you to be on display.

I know your soul feels especially threadbare today. Give me all that feels thin and tattered. I will infuse you with light and life. Surrender to me, and my light and life will shine through all the worn places.

I love you,

Abba

photo: potowizard