November 23

And I will multiply upon you man and beast, and they shall increase and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited according to your former estate and I will do better for you than at your beginnings; and you shall know, understand, and realize that I am the Lord [the Sovereign Ruler, Who calls forth loyalty and obedient service]”. Ezekiel 36:11 (AMPC)

It can be hard to imagine, especially as things in our lives get bruised and broken, how God can ever make it, “better than at our beginnings”. Yet in His loyal love and limitless compassion and care, that is entirely possible, and exactly true! 

Just as every step of our lives is ordained by God to lead and guide us into the fullness of His good intentions towards us—with days marked by kindness and grace—every misstep in any moment of time (and they do come) submitted and surrendered back into His hands, can be redeemed, remade, and renewed. Transformed into miracles of mercy as only He can do. Worked around to His greater good, bringing forth His highest and best for you. 

In all the planned blessings and the unplanned pain; the moments and the milestones that bring you joy; the sadness and the sorrow too hard to bear; He is there. Something beautiful, now restored, has the joy of the original intent and design shining through, with the added beauty of redemption woven into it, as only a Master Craftsman can do. The artistry is magnified, and the thanksgiving multiplied, for the wonder of it all.

Dearly loved one, won’t you allow God to show you the true beauty of who you are, and the beauty of what all those broken pieces can be? It will take your breath away, cherished one, when you see what Your Beloved will do. When you see the beauty of all He has planned, in His deep and abiding love for you! A new life begins in Christ. The old life restored and renewed.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I confess it does not seem possible that You could take this mess and make something meaningful from it. That You would take these broken pieces—the ones I have broken and the ones that  have broken me, and make them new. Not just new Poppa, but as Your promise says—better than at the beginning. Oh, precious Lord, how I long that it could be so.

Come now, in all the ways You can, and do what only You can do. I look for You Lord; I long for You. I accept Your love and all that You have promised. All that You desire to do.

In Your Holy Name I pray and for Your glory alone.