Dusting out the cobwebs

Have you checked out The Modest Mom Blog yet this month?  

I am so excited to be following along!

Check out her website to get great tips and encouragement!

Blessings!

~Jess

It’s as if Jesus is saying, “Oh look Daddy, isn’t she beautiful?

***This was taken and adapted from my journal entry last August (2012)***

Recently, our little family of 4, along with our parents, took a week long beach trip.  Our trip was full of laughter, many memorable moments, and just plain old fun.  Even with all the activities and new places we visited each day, we enjoyed our walks along the beach the most.  In fact, there was one evening that will forever be imprinted on my heart.

After building a sand castle and jumping ocean waves with grandparents, our four year old daughter Abigail, declared it time to search for the “perfect seashells”.  With her trusty pink bucket in hand; she set off with both grandmothers and me, while the grandfathers, my husband and our 3 year old son splashed around.  As we combed the beach, with eyes peeled to the ground, I heard Abigail oohing and awing over something she was holding.  Curious, I walked closer to her to get a good look at her latest find.  “Oh Mommy, look it’s beautiful,” she said as she gently placed her new treasure in my hand.  Surprised, I looked down at the broken piece of a clam shell, with more missing than was actually there.  But before I could say anything, she quickly yet carefully removed the clam shell from my hand and placed it on top of her other shells. 

“Honey, can I see your other seashells?” I asked.  “Sure Mommy,” she said as she held out her collection.  I peered down and looked inside the pink bucket.   “Aren’t they beautiful treasures Mommy? I love them.” Abigail’s voice began to trail off as she had already set her sights on another shell. 

Every single shell she had picked up was broken, I thought to myself.  How does she think they are beautiful when they are just in pieces?  And then, the Holy Spirit brought to my mind a convicting thought.  Most would have noticed the imperfections of these shells and passed on by without another glance.  But not Abigail; she seemed to treasure every fragment piece of broken shell.  What most would have seen as worthless, she saw as priceless.  Treasures from the ocean, waiting for the right one to come along and see their worth. 

With salty tears forming in my eyes, I bowed my head in prayer.  “Lord, I am treasured by You, my Creator.  I am broken and feel so useless to You sometimes.  Yet, I have a relationship with You to nurture and grow in, a husband to love and submit to, and 2 blessings (children) to train in Your ways. Please use this broken vessel to do Your will. Thank you for the reminder, Lord, that you see beauty in brokenness.”

Some of us are broken, dirty, deemed by the world (and sometimes the Church) as worthless.  No hope of ever feeling loved or treasured.  Yet there is One, who says we are priceless. One that was willing to pay the ultimate cost.  Just to prove it, He did the unimaginable, the unthinkable.  He gave up His great treasure, His Son.   And when God sees me, an imperfect, broken, sin-filled and selfish person; He doesn’t see my brokenness, my shattered pieces or uselessness.  He sees Jesus, who is interceding on my behalf.  It’s as if Jesus is saying, “Oh look Daddy, isn’t she beautiful?  Your Mercy has healed her.  Your Grace has restored her.  Your sacrifice has made her beautiful, and she is Your treasure to use as You will.”  

Thank you Father for sacrificing.

Thank you Jesus for obeying.

Thank you Holy Spirit for convicting. 

**I welcome your kind comments, prayer needs, and encouragement**

                                            

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