I like watching the furniture flippers on YouTube. They take a piece of abused, broken furniture, often headed to the dump,and then, step by step, they restore it. Often to better than its original glory, now ready for a special place in its new home.
This process reminds me of how the Savoir works on us. Once we allow him to claim us as His, the work commences.
He cleans us, years of dirt, debris, stickiness.
He repairs us, every chipped corner, or broken slider. Until we work as he wants us to work.
Sometimes this takes some scraping. Sometimes multiple applications of paint strippers, until we are left raw and exposed, wood down to it's grain. Now it is sanded smooth and clean, and something beautiful begins to emerge.
I get excited when the natural beauty of the wood comes through. And then it gets enhanced. Different stains are applied that bring out the natural beauty further. For us, I see those as the stains of humility, faith, charity and other god-like virtues.
Then it is sealed. More easily to defend itself against the ravages of life.
I will hold you
through the dark abyss of night
endless and empty
cold, without light
I will hold you
as you make your way through
I will hold you
in confusion
in doubt
look unto me
anchor yourself in the waters
of mine eyes
as the seas toss you about and attempt to capsize
I will hold
until all the broken pieces
glued together with
glimmering gold
your heart made whole
I will hold you
in the palms of my hands
in the hole in my side
but surest of all, in my wrists
I hold you
with every breath you take
step by step
as you struggle to find light
I hold you
in that flash of light
a quick understanding
of why you must
slog your way through
I hold you
in doubt
in confusion
the wave on the water is my gentle hand
that bird that sings that
song who's note of hope
can lodge in your heart
I hold you
all your thousand pieces
scattered across the miles of the parched earth
I hold you as you are:
every broken
shredded
tired
burnt
wondering
& lost
soul
I hold you in the palms of my hands
outstretched to you
- still
- always
These hands that made this world- this universe
and all it has in it
These hands hold you
My best is but a blemished lamb
Who has lost her way
My best little lamb
Who has gone astray
Broken and forgotten
With matted fur of dirt
This little lamb is my heart
Who forgot to put thee first
But my Shepard is still watching
Reaching out and calling my name
I kinda want to come to him
But of my dirt I am ashamed
But you are my dear Shepard
And already ran my needed bath
Bathing me in your blood
Until my wool is white at last
With clean wool I can stand before thee
Offering my heart and hands
And do the work of finding
Other lost and little lambs
63:3 (missed yesterday) He who treadeth the winefat
vs 8: Our potter, and we all are the works of thy hands
Interesting relationship, especially when combined with Moses 1:39 Behold, My work and My Glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
So we are his work, not just any work, but the work of his hands, thought about, continually being molded, and to what end? Just our immortality and eternal life. Becoming as he is.
a description of Christ in Isaiah 63: 1 "mighty to save".
vs 7: Loving Kindness of the Lord
vs 16: our father, everlasting
Mighty to save: not weak to save, but strong, willing, brave enough to save, but only if we ask.
