ashes
the things we lay down
we offer up
we give up
we reconcile
were never ours to begin with
sackcloth
how we are clothed
when we lay all this down
emptied
of pride
of arrogance
of self will
all that is left
is
humility
and here it is
that we can enter
the Holy of Holies
feet bare
and on holy ground
we find all that is beautiful
all that is worthwhile
all that is truly life
He promises
beauty for ashes
It was another of those glory days
when the sky is dark with gloom
forboding
with promises
of storm
and all around enough brightness
to crack any storm
to break through any forboding
any fear
any little piece
of little faith
as my eyes beheld this glory
my heart beheld the glory
of His working in my life...
a big thing for man to unravel
all the intricacies of a soul
to find the festering
and put balm of healing to it
but God in His glory
need only reveal a piece of Himself
and it is enough
If I can only touch the hem of His garment
I will be healed
If He will only speak the Word
I will be made whole
beauty for ashes
------------------------
my friend Dawn Blanchard over at http://dschondog.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/out-of-the-cloud/
has posted a letter from her husband's grandmother's mother, her lifetime spanning from July 8, 1848 to June 30, 1915. I share that here and ask you to enjoy her entire post and see an actual photo of this precious letter... a true blessing.
Dear precious Christ I gladly give you my heart and my life in the best way I know how. I want you to own all there is of me. I want to love you with all my heart — I do not — want to share it with any one else. I want you to take my love and to take all there is of me no matter what you must bring into my life or what you must do in order to possess it. Take me any where… do with me anything if thus I may be brought to know you and to love you with my whole being. I want to be with you continually. I want to spend each moment of my life in loving companionship with you. I want to leave with you all the planning and doing. I want you to have your way in all things. I know you love me and that you wish to do the very best for me.
S.R. Clapsaddle [Susanna Rebecca Fry Clapsaddle]
----------------------------
so on this glory day
my heart was again laid bare
before the One who is able
the One who makes whole
and if He should so desire
the One who heals
me laid bare before
this One
who owns me
In this I am content
whatever He must do in order to possess me
I know He loves me and that He wishes to do the very best for me
beauty for ashes
my favourite things
To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
~Isaiah 61:3
