Distressed Beauty

"Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful." 
Psalm 147:1

Have you ever spotted something in someone's home you think they should reconsider owning, much less displaying?  Sure enough, that will be the item they're most proud of, the conversation piece, the character piece with the best story behind it, and you leave wishing you had one because now you see what they see in it.

Pinterest can teach you to "age" or "distress" items to give them surface character, while also offering tips on giving "new life" to outdated items (you know, the ones that are distressed or aged). 

God's not interested in outward beauty, but works from within because coats of varnish and whitewash aren't His style. He's into authenticity and breathes new life into what was dead, then builds character into His new creation.  

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also given men a sense of what He’s been doing down through the ages. But they can’t completely figure out what He’s done from the beginning to the end." 
Ecclesiastes 3:11

Feeling distressed from your most recent character-building sessions? Needing a break to enjoy beauty? Authentic praise, built-in and always in style helps us see beauty in who we are and where we are - both physically and spiritually.
"Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful." 
Psalm 33:1



We praise You, God, because our finite brains can't figure out how in the world You've gotten us from where we were (or could have been) to where we are now. Where distress marks were, we now see faith.  Sometimes Your reflection even shines in us after a high gloss polishing.  Thank You for deigning to live in us, to breathe and move in us. Thank You God for growth in rain, for forests rising after flames, for faith from difficulty, for brotherhood in crises. We praise You for Your tough, purposeful love that brings out the greatest and most unique beauty in us.  You are forever faithful, forever righteous, and forever good.  There is no one like You and You make each of us so there's no one else like us.  Wonderful God! Amazing Creator!