My Testimony - Beauty from Ashes

I was struggling for many year God and you sent me a family that I never had. That was exactly what I needed and more than I could have ever dreamed of. You gave me hope and You gave me a purpose. You healed me from the pain of my past.

One of my favorite passages in the bible comes from Isaiah 61:3 "...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

Beauty from ashes. To me, this means that you give God your ashes and He exchanges them for beauty. I believe ashes are our wounds. The places in our lives where we are at a complete loss. Things that are so difficult, it is hard to see a way out. Abandonment, sickness, and death brought on a storm of depression and anxiety over me. Ashes upon ashes. Each day was an obstacle.

God has given me hope in the midst of my darkest storms. I look back and see where God had taken my ashes and made something beautiful. On March 25th, 2022, I was baptized. I humbly presented myself as one who has chosen to turn away from sinful ways, and walk through life in a way that is worthy of His calling.

God has a purpose for our lives. It does not matter what the odds are. He places all the right pieces and people together to bring purpose to fruition. Never underestimate your purpose in this life. Never think that you're not needed or that what you say or feel doesn't matter. It is all a part of God's plan to help us reach our purpose in life.

All God's promises are Yes and Amen.