I have found so much beauty within my journey through life, especially lately. I recently had a conversation with one of my children and it went something like this.
Child: Momma, I am glad that I’m learning how selfish I have been in the past and how I’ve wasted money on things that don’t matter. This person was telling us at school about how they were about to get another expensive pair of shoes, and momma they don’t even need them. They have ___ many pairs already. It made me really glad that I have all that I need. And I know I don’t need all of that extra stuff.
Me: Do you know that even when we’re making plenty of money again, I won’t be buying you just heaps of things, but it’s not because I don’t love you. It’s because I do. I want you to have all that you need and some of the things you want, but you don’t need to receive every single thing that you want.
In that moment, I felt such a heavy Presence of God. A Sovereign moment. My children are having their eyes opened, not to a poverty spirit, but to realizing what’s truly important and becoming more grateful! How amazing is that?! I couldn’t hope for more than that, in all honesty.
There is beauty to be found in every situation. You just need to look harder for it sometimes. That evening I found eternal beauty in the heart of my child. In that moment, I felt that my legacy might just be something worthwhile. Oh, how I long to leave a faith filled legacy for my children. A legacy of living content, while always longing for more of Jesus.
Prayer Moment: God, I thank You for revealing beauty even when our life feels like it’s been burned to the ground. You make beauty from my ashes. As I lay my life on the altar, You consume it with holy fire and something beautiful resurrects. Thank You. I am so grateful for Your Presence. I love You. I pray that You will continue to remind me of that conversation with my child for years to come. Help us to live from and for Your Presence, Abba. I am Yours completely. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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. Isaiah 61:3b
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiates 3:11
365 Days in the Presence 