Entering the Blog World!

I did it! I finally decided to take the step to enter the blog world! In fact, I've had an account for quite sometime, but just used it to see what others had to say, get craft ideas, parenting tips, cooking, etc. Myself and writing have a love/hate relationship so bare with me. I am not the best writer, but love how I feel when I've taken some "me" time to write down my thoughts. For my first blog, I'd like to explain why I chose the title "Beauty From Ashes Isaiah 61:2-3"...

Isaiah 61:2-3 says,"...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who greive in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor."

There is also a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that I got from another blogger that sums this up perfectly:

Beauty Will Rise
It was the day the world went wrong
I screamed til my voice was gone
And i watched through the tears as everything
came crashing down
slowly panic turns to pain
as we awake to what remains
and sift through the ashes that are left behind

But buried deep beneath
all of our broken dreams
we have this hope

Out of these ashes...beauty will rise
and we will dance among the ruins
we will see Him with our own eyes
Out of these ashes...beauty will rise
For we know, joy is coming in the morning
in the morning, beauty will rise

So take another breath for now
and let the tears come washing down
and if you can't believe, I will believe for you

Cuz I have seen the signs of spring!
Just watch and see.

I can hear it in the distance
and its not too far away
its the music and the laughter
of a wedding and a feast
I can almost feel the hand of God
reaching for my face
to wipe the tears away and say
"It's time to make everything new."

"Make it all new."

This song speaks so much of how my life has been these past couple years. Even when I can't make sense of everything that happens or know exactly what to do at times, in the end I know beauty will rise and come out of the ashes. Psalm 31:14 says "God is the author of life and SOVEREIGN over everything" Amen! I have decided to let God be the author in my life and stop trying to be God myself. I do not want to settle for God's second best or settle for a plan of my own making. So my prayer this evening is that you Lord direct and guide me through your Word & Holy Spirit to make the right choices! In that I have peace.. :)

Lindsay