Beautiful Things...

I am a mess.  A T-Total mess!  Anyone who knows me knows this, and knows that I readily admit to it.  Having A.D.D. is my excuse, but frankly, I think I'd be a mess without it too.  There are days when my focus is controlled, I stay on-task, and get lots done.  Then there are days I can't seem to focus on one thing long enough to get anything done.  I drive my dear husband crazy during the times my mind noodles around like a huge pile of spaghetti, never-ending, winding around and around.  Only because I can't contain all the thoughts and have to get them out - all of them - as quickly as I can and not necessarily in any sensible order.  And the poor dear is usually the only one around for me to talk to.  He says he loves it, but I don't know how he could.  I'm an incessant talker, babbling on, and he nods, grins and says "uh-huh" and "oh" at all the right times.  He loves me in spite of my silly little self. 
Not only am I a mess, I'm good at creating a mess as well.  I decorated the house for Fall, and had it all cleaned up before he got home.  Which was a great feat on my part.  Especially since part of the decorating included creating outdoor decor for the front porch.  When I told my husband I was going to trim the bush by the kitchen window, he knew a mess would ensue.  And it did. 

 

The picture of the pile of branches on the ground, (with a little photo-bomb in the bottom right corner from Molli), shows the mess pretty well.  As I looked at the pile of discarded branches I thought - hmm...I could make something out of that.  I touched up some old pumpkins I had with some paint to make them look new, arranged the branches in two urns, added some artificial berry branches, and voila!  Instant Fall Decor for the front porch!  I intentionally made them look wild and untamed for a more natural feel.  And, maybe it is a little reflection of my personality - a little wild and untamed. 

Here they are, adorning the front windows of the house, with scarecrows resting on the chair.

 

Yes, those are Christmas lights hanging on the house.  And yes, they've been there since last Christmas.  Don't judge me.

Well, all this got me to thinking about God.  As God works in us, he trims off the 'branches' we don't need anymore in order to form us into His image.  We look at the old pile of 'branches' (sin, sorrow, unforgiveness, hardship, pain, etc.) and think they aren't of any use to us or God any longer.  So we toss them aside.  But then God reminds us of how He used those branches to help us grow in Him, and He creates the beauty from them in our testimony of life in Him.  He takes the mess we are, in whatever state we are in, all the dust that covers us and makes us think we're ugly, and somehow arranges it in only the way He can.  Then voila!  Out we come, beautiful little things he loves and calls His children.  Then He sets us out on the world's front porch for all to see, examples of how He can work in everyone's life to create beauty in every circumstance.

No matter what you are going through in your life, please know that God is right there with you, and can be the strength you need to endure.  If you are willing to let Him in, to let Him take control of your life, to guide you, direct you, and hold you, then you will be able to see the beauty He creates from your dusty circumstance on the other side of it.  It's hard to do.  You have to be honest, transparent, and it can be a struggle.  But it is SO worth it.  Let Him make you a new, 'beautiful thing'.

There's a song I love called "Beautiful Things" by Gungor.  It's perfect for this post.  Here it is for a listen: Musica.  
Love and peace to you all!
Lisa