Beauty For Ashes by Nina Keegan

 Job 42:12

So God blessed the Latter part of Job's life more than the former.

The  long and winding security line at the airport seemed to be holding steadfastly in a complete standstill. What was the hold up? The international terminals seemed to take quite a bit longer than domestic and I could sense the growing frustration and impatience in many of my fellow travelers as we baby stepped our way through the winding line. As I was going through my mental check list, I again made sure I had my passport, my wallet filled with the proper exchanged currency, phone charger including the international outlet converter... etc. I guess checking these things one last time made me feel better as I contemplated the chaos of possibly missing my flight. 

This Trip would be very significant for me for several reasons.

One reason being , A few months ago I finalized a very long, difficult, and tumultuous divorce that left me feeling sucker punched to say the very least. 

Feelings of abandonment, betrayal and the pain sped through the most diabolical year I have ever faced. Daily were the constant arrows and firey darts aimed recklessly and with acute accuracy at my already scorched heart and soul. As these prolific bullets clamored to extinguish any last morsel of peace, I would receive a word, a prayer, a call, a voice, a standout scripture.. all imploring me to trust God and to not give up or give in. I would read the promises of restoration, peace , joy and double portion of blessing. I would stand on these promises that in the natural  seemed impossible and intangible and let them consume me... 

 Coincidentally, and even more significant was the fact that I just so happened to have been flying on my Birthday, there was just something very metaphoric about that to me... I was jetting off in a sense to that latter part of my life forgetting what lies behind and looking forward to all the future blessings that God has been stock piling for me.. The pile containing my beauty for ashes and the double portion for all the enemy tried to steal from me... I had a new hope and a new excitement knowing that God was in charge and He was so brilliantly faithful... He was knitting me back together but when He restores, He always multiplies. His mercies and grace are new everyday ...  This promise alone makes me  fall to my undeserving knees in praise for How Good our God is! He is never not Good!!!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME! 
James 1:16-18

Romans 8:28

And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Finally after a 10 plus hour flight, I arrived in Scotland.. The beauty of this

land  is unmatched in the glorious creativity of our Heavenly Father. Breathe! Time to breathe! This was it... I felt the promises of God everywhere saying "Here you go my daughter! This will be a time of restoration and rejuvenation."

 During the dificulties the past year embellished upon my life I could not have imagined the unsurpassed greatness of joy and peace  and favor that would follow. 

My travels this trip also took me  to London, the English countryside, and to Paris.  I was joined sometimes by my amazing sons and sometimes by my wonderful friends. God's peace was in every laugh, tear, train, plane, cab and every glorious croissant or cafe O lait.. I encountered. As I gazed upon the city of Paris from the summit of the Eiffel Tower I gasped as I perhaps could visualize God smiling... His radiant love ...

I am reminded that we sometimes must go through the tough times in life to get to the good stuff. God has to prune things away from our lives that rob us of all He has for us , the joy stealers that leach onto us and keep us from God's best. He really does turn ALL things around for the good! 

The Bible says that we must share in God's suffering that we might also share in His glory. We are never immune to heartache, to trials or devastation.. But what we do have is a Loving Father that will never leave us, He will be there through it all promising to restore you and give you a new hope and a future!

His blessings have no deadline, no expiration date... They are infinite, endless and beyond comprehension..He will perfect ALL of your concerns!

Speak victory over your life, rise above your circumstances and surrender it all with praise and thanksgiving!

 Let all that hurts you be covered forever in the blood of Jesus! Through His blood shed.. We Win!! He always causes us to be victorious even when it seems utterly impossible!! He is the God of possible!!

God is who He says He is!!! Hold On!! Your Good is coming and your BEST days are still out in front of you!! Receive it!

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bindup the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
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.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.