Isaiah 61:3 "And provide for those who grieve 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 splendour." NIV
I have taken up a new hobby: stained glass mosaics.
Mosaics are pictures or patterns made up from small bits of stone or
glass. The nice thing about this
hobby is that you only need left over pieces of glass which makes it quite
affordable compared to regular stained glass art.
It also offers a challenge, which I enjoy, as I carefully pick my way
through mounds of broken shards, and chunks, seeking just the right colour in
the right size and shape for the design I am creating.
And with each new piece, as it is set into place, my picture becomes more
and more of a reality until at last it is complete and beautifully whole.
A brilliant gem against a sun washed window.
Our lives in Christ are much like stained glass mosaics, for He too works
wonders with leftovers: leftover broken hearts and lives, minds, bodies and
spirits. When we choose to humbly trust and offer him the pieces of our
brokenness, he carefully and lovingly picks and chooses amidst it all until bit
by bit he creates a brand new and beautiful thing within our lives.
For indeed as Isaiah has penned he is able — to bestow 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. And I should know for this is exactly
what he has done for me and is only too glad to do for you too, if only you will
let him.
Prayer: Father God what a marvel
you are to be able to take our brokenness and reshape it into a thing of beauty
and goodness. Bless us with humble
and trusting hearts today as we offer ourselves anew to you.
In Christ’s name we pray.
Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Atlin, B.C.
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