After my dad’s death last July, I helped my stepfamily clean out my dad’s workshop. While cleaning out the upstairs, I came across the perfect sized table to put next to my writing chair—square with a drawer and a small shelf to hold my Bible and writing books.
The top of the table had water damage, and the veneer was buckled and stained with black mold. However, I saw the potential. I could imagine it sanded and repainted with a lovely shade of chalk paint. Because of back-to-back deadlines, I haven’t had time to refinish it yet.
Two days ago UPS delivered a twelve-pound box to my front door. I saw the sender, and my heart galloped as a squeal shimmied up my throat. I carried the box to my dining room table and cut the tape.
I opened the flaps to reveal gorgeous, paper-scented author copies of Lakeside Sweethearts, the third book in my Shelby Lake series published by Love Inspired.
A smile spread across my face faster than the spilled milk dripping off the counter.
Lakeside Sweethearts is the story of Agnes and Ian, two longtime friends who realize they’re meant to be together, but it’s more than that–it’s the story of how God makes everything beautiful in His time.
Due to emotional damage from her past, Agnes feels like a throwaway, discarded like the cast-offs she rescues and refurbishes. She desires to peel away the water damaged veneers and sand off the mold stains. She adds a new finish and brings out the value in the furniture.
You know those deep dark secrets that make us feel dirty and ashamed–the ones we bury beneath layers of smiles and confidence? And those cracks in our hearts patched together with Scotch tape?
God rescues us from the proverbial curbs of life. With a sweet smile on his face and a whistle sliding over his lips, he painstakingly strips away our veneers and sands away the stains that mar our beauty.
When we go to Him with our brokenness and past shame, He refines us to bring out the shine. He binds up our hearts and fills in those cracks with His redeeming grace. No matter our sins, He continues to see our true beauty–our true value.
What about you? Have you allowed Him to restore you into something beautiful?
Married 25 years to her real-life hero, award-winning author Lisa Jordan knows a thing or two about romance. She and her husband have two young adult sons who have their own creative streaks. By day, Lisa is an early childhood educator. By night, she writes contemporary Christian romances that promise hope and happily ever after for Love Inspired. She is the Forum Coordinator for My Book Therapy. She is represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such. In her spare time (ha!), she loves good books, romantic comedies, crafting with friends and feeding her NCIS addiction. Visit Lisa at www.lisajordanbooks.com.
Lisa, thank you for the beautiful reminder of how the Lord restores and renews us. I’m eternally grateful for the refining fires that remove the dross from our lives and mold us more and more into the image of Christ. Blessings on your day! :)
Love this post. You’re such a beautiful writer and person :)
“Remove the dross from our lives”…love that, Cathy!
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Thanks so much, Laurie. You’re so sweet. :)