Refining the Layers of Her Life

There was a baby bud under all her layers,

But ‘twas ruined by all the world’s players.

Daily she wished the bud to blossom,

Not realizing God was behind the scenes.

The bloom was hidden so very long.

No one even knew she was there.

Not even her.

But God knew.

Under the layer of shame,

God used it for compassion.

Under the layer of guilt,

He used His forgiveness.

Under the layer of self-hate,

God lavished His love on her.

Under the layer of loneliness,

God gave her a relationship with His Son.

Under the spirit of fear and timidity,

God gave her courage and self-control.

Under the layer of mental health issues,

God saw and knew the real gem.

Under the layer of being poverty-stricken,

God removed the stigma and made her rich in love.

Under the layers of weakness,

God strengthened her with His Holy Spirit’s power.

Under the layer of drug and alcohol addiction,

God gave her substitution to live in freedom through Christ.

Under the layer of ill-health,

God gave her hope of eternal life.

Under her layer of not facing reality,

God showed her His truth.

Under the layer of all of her bad choices in life,

Were turned into good because she loved God.

Under the consequences of her layers,

God personally died for her.

She has blossomed into a unique pink and blue rose today.

I give all thanks and praises to glorify God the Creator of all.

“Throughout all the land, says the LORD, two-thirds will be cut off and die; but one-third will be left in it. I will put the third part into the fire. I will refine them like one refines silver; I will test them like one tests gold. They will call on my name, and I will respond to them. I will say, “They are my people.” And they will say, “The LORD is our God” (Zechariah 13:8-9).

“You haven’t heard, nor have you known; as in ages past your ears are closed, because I knew what a traitor you were; you were known as a rebel from birth. For the sake of my reputation I control my anger; for your sake I restrain my powerful radiance so as to not destroy you. See, I have refined you, but not like silver; I have tested you in the furnace of misery. For the sake of my reputation, for my own sake, I will act, for why will my name be made impure? I won’t give my glory to another” (Isaiah 48:8-11).

Praise God, thank you from the bottom of my heart for my new life in Christ.

What has God done in your life? What signs of life are rising from under the layers of your past?