Beauty In the Ashes

Remember when today's shabby chic and upcycling belonged to the poor?  Look at the scalloped window treatment above the sweet, bright-eyed girl's head and imagine the mother working to beautify her home. 

Look at the beautiful workmanship in the quilt. Notice how the trio's skilled hands are held in lovely repose.

Then there's the farm girl preparing for high school.  Her bed's coverlet is embroidered with the names of her friends.  This young lady has reason to hope and to dream.  

And such were some of us until the Lord saved us that we might be called children of God.  We may not escape poverty in this world but I'm sure the walls of our Heavenly homes won't be papered with old newspapers.    

1 Corinthians 6:11

English Standard Version (ESV)

11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Psalm 34:5

English Standard Version (ESV)

5 Those who look to him are radiant,

    and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Isaiah 61:1-3

New International Version (NIV)

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

    because the Lord has anointed me

    to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

    to proclaim freedom for the captives

    and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]

2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

    and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

    instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

    instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

    instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

    a planting of the Lord

    for the display of his splendor.

Kate & Anna McGarrigle - "Hard times come again no more"