God Loves the Broken

So tonight I was in our garage fetching the nativity scene to set up in my house. I walked up to the upstairs portion of our garage and I noticed a bookshelf in the back corner, covered in dust. We've lived in this house for the past 6 years, and I've always known it was there, but nobody ever touched it (previous owners must have left the bookshelf there). This bookshelf, put together in a flimsy fashion with a few bars of metal and cheap wood, never looked appealing. Until now. As I inspected the dirty bookshelf, I couldn't shake the desire to clean it off and use it in my room. So I grabbed the bookshelf, carried it downstairs, out of the garage, and into the house. As I was walking through the living room with the bookshelf my mom asked, "Why do you have that dirty old thing?". I couldn't help but smile as I responded, "Sometimes Jesus turns something old, broken, and crappy into something so beautiful and useful".


So true, right? We're never too broken or old for Jesus. Sometimes we think "Maybe He'll use me more if I'm more pure and change this-this-and-this about me". That's not always true. God meets us right where we are, no matter how lost or impure we are. Not to be vain, but let me use myself as an example. I was in the process of burying myself in a deep pit. I searched for self-fulfillment within alcohol and guys. Yet every single time I had an encounter with either of those two things, I felt completely empty and worthless. My soul was screaming for something more, little did I know it was the Spirit trying to grab my attention so I could look unto the one who loves me most. So I did...and although I can't say I'm perfect today, I'm certainly a lot better of a person because God smothered me in His love & grace.

So if you're feeling ugly, empty, and broken, cry out to God. It all starts with a simple desire to encounter God on a more relational basis. Just pray. He'll come to where you are, and wrap you in His arms so that you'll be able to feel His never-ending love like never before. Maybe you'll go from being a dusty, dirty, flimsy bookshelf to one that is able to fulfill His purposes, and shine while doing it, might I add!!

Here's a picture of the bookshelf that I rescued, cleaned up, and is now holding a few of my favorite books in my room:

Forgiven & Forgotten

I'm currently reading the book "God Came Near" by Max Lucado. Let me tell you..it's super good! So often do we forget that Jesus was a normal human being just like me and you! He awoke each morning, wiping the gunk outta his eyes. He faced temptations day in and day out. He went to sleep each night and had dreams. The only difference was that He was God in human form. Key word: HUMAN. Anyway, this isn't the point of this post. Just wanted to point out how this book personifies Jesus..and I love it <3

Chapter 19 of the book is called "He Forgot". It's a short chapter that talks about how God not only forgives our sins..He also forgets!

"For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more" (Hebrews 8:12)


YES that is our FATHER talking about US!!! We sin every day, and as long as we ask for forgiveness, they shall be forgotten?! YES!!

I know I have an entire closet of skeletons representing past sins. So many times I've felt unworthy of certain things in life due to what I've done. The truth? Christ set me free. In Him, I am able to do anything, because He washed me white as snow. He made me new. Those skeletons in my closet weighing me down are Satan's LIES!! They are Satan's lies in your life too.

Don't let doubts that Satan plants hold you back. Remember that with God, anything and everything is possible. Surrender your life, pray for His will to be done in your life, and watch the impossible happen!

I <3 God.