Beauty Instead of Ashes

Now that the fire is dwindling,
and the flames no longer burn,
I search the rubble of my heart
For lessons I must learn.

A piece of me was left behind
To crumble into dust.
Fragments of an older me,
Worn and useless, filled with rust.

Hot coals among the cinders,
Burning slightly, just a spark.
My Lord, He comes to stomp them out,
Into the ground. Into the dark.

He walks beside me through the fire.
He stands to watch as I look on.
Into the remnants now before me.
Things that needed to be gone.

Now gleaming in the midst of ashes
Something twinkling, bright and gold.
The Lord, He stoops to pick it up,
In His hands He does hold.

He walks to me and gently places
A crown of beauty on my head.
He softly smiles and quietly says
"This I give to you instead".

Isaiah 61:3

By Debra Kay Reeves 3/31/94