beauty for ashes

Beauty for Ashes: Healing through Everyday Life
Isaiah 61:1-3 speaks of our LORD Jesus ... and as I read these verses over and over and over again, I see these words describing what the Lord has done in my own heart and life, especially over the last several days and weeks and months. 
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them BEAUTY FOR ASHES, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." (NKJV)
It's been 24 weeks since Dad took his final breath ... 168 days. Based on a 4 week/28 day month, Dad's been gone six months. Technically, though, I'm still two weeks out from that six month anniversary. It seems so surreal that Dad's been gone this long. As I've been walking this road for a few months now, I continue to marvel at how the Lord has chosen to bring healing. To bring beauty from the ash heap that was left in my soul. 
Although losing Dad has been the hardest loss I've endured, thus far, I've learned that the Lord tailors the healing process to our individual lives. As someone who is more of an extrovert, the Lord has blessed me with some of the most healing relationships I could ever desire ... and the ironic thing is that we just "do life" together.
What has taken me by surprise is how so much has changed for me while so much is the exact same. While a couple of my relationships have suffered, the Lord has met me in those challenges. A few relationships have suffered, yes. However, many relationships have been forged through this great loss ... forged and fortified. Many of these relationships have deepened to a level I never expected. Whether it's an impromptu visit on a porch, me wandering around the yard photographing my friends' gorgeous flowers, a cooking lesson, walking down my road, or drinking coffee, how thankful I am that the Lord has established these friendships. I'm living Psalm 68:5-6a out. It says: "A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families..." (NKJV).
Recently, the ladies at church had the opportunity to go through Louie Giglio's 6-week Bible study "Don't Give the Enemy a Seat At Your Table." The timing of the study did NOT feel right. I had NO desire to be a part of the study; however, as I enjoyed a cup of coffee with one of my favorite people, she encouraged me to do the study. Honestly, I only signed up because she was doing the study. The first 2-3 weeks were B*R*U*T*A*L!  I had no idea why I kept going ... but I stuck it out. Somewhere along the way, a breakthrough occurred ... It seemed so minor, at the time. As I look back, though, it shifted the trajectory of my journey. Life, truly, changed in unexpected ways. 
As these days have turned to weeks and the weeks have turned to months, the Lord has also allowed me to pursue my art and photography. He's blessed me with an art vendor booth at a local shop and with prospective opportunities to be a part of a couple of different art/craft fairs in the fall. The Lord has also allowed me to be a part of two different important events as a photographer ... a wedding and a senior's graduation pictures. the Lord has allowed the dawn to break through the dark night of my soul. 
Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart." (NKJV). How thankful I am for the Lord's grace ... not just for salvation but for the gift of doing what I love.
Yes, my LORD Jesus, You have given me the desires of my heart, and I am thankful! 
Has every day been perfect? Of course NOT! But there is great good in EVERY.SINGLE.DAY! The greatest good of every single day is that God is still seated on His throne. He's still the Rock that never shakes, never breaks. The One who is so faithful. He is the One who is here. He's still Emmanuel, God with us. 

While the Lord chooses to bring healing in various ways, He's chosen to use my normal everyday life to bring healing. To bring beauty for ashes. 
Soli Deo Gloria!

---