from grace to restoration

 So apparently I was going with the trend before I knew it was the in trend. Last year my one word was Grace. God taught me so much in 2013 about His grace and how I am an a extension of that grace to others. This year I am making a scrapbook about 2014 and the word I chose REstore. I picked restore for a lot of reasons but mostly because my soul has been battered and going through a crisis of faith and is dire need of restoration from my Savior. 

The end of 2013 brought much financial hardship for my family and we face financial struggles into 2014. With a house in Illinois unrented and not being able to pay certain bills, health insurance woes, and a drastic cut in salary our finances need restored but that is just a small portion of what has burdened my heart but you can pray for that if you wish.

I won't list the whole grand list of things that need restored in my life. My biggest need for restoration is my spiritual life. Since the rape of my sister it was like God took me and placed me on the outside of the Christian community(Church)  giving me a look at what unsaved people see. It is not pretty and I struggle. I struggle to even want to be involved in Church again. My soul cries "restore me Jesus! restore my sister. restore my family"
I took the picture of the purple flower above last year during our time at the condo. It reminds me of Spring and Spring always reminds me of life after quiet, life even after death. Spring to me symbolizes the word restore.

But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? 20"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. Genesis 50:19-20

For all the evil that has happened in the last year and a half to me and my family. The gossip, the rumors, being let down by the Church, judgements from family, these things meant to harm or the things that had good intentions but did more harm than good. I desire God to restore them, take my hurt and turn it into something beautiful. To repair the damage as only the Lord can, because I believe he can, and this year I believe he will.