Beauty Restored

Last year around this time, something huge happened in my life.  Although I have yet to share the details publicly, I have been thinking back to this time last year and the hopelessness that I felt.  I can't wait till the Lord allows me to put into words what I went through but I could not let this week go by and NOT give Him glory for where He brought me from.  It was an extremely dark time in my life and I know that I am only here today because of Jesus.  He has brought restoration and life back to something that was dead.  As I revisited some of the emotions I felt last year, I wrote this poem....my prayer is that those of you that may be experiencing a dark time in your own life - that you would HOLD ON - breakthrough IS coming!!  Beauty will return..... 

Beauty Restored

One dreadful night, my world shattered

The blow that came left my heart bruised and battered

Crying out to God came bucket of tears

A broken spirit casting down fears

Learning to trust in God alone

Trusting Him for peace in my home

It wasn't easy and didn't happen overnight

I had to press through and put up a fight

I fought for life and for those that I love

Reaching out to the One above

Healing came and joy returned

Beauty restored where ashes burned

Don't give up, my precious friend

You will dance on your feet again.

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Integrity

in·teg·ri·ty

noun\in-ˈte-grə-tē\

: the quality of being honest and fair

: the state of being complete or whole

"Integrity" - this word has been burning in my heart for the past few weeks.     

What exactly is integrity?  Do people truly value it anymore?  Am I willing to sacrifice MY integrity for some "thing" or some "one"?  These are all the questions that have been drilling through my mind.

Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on VALUES rather than personal gain.  What are my values?  Am I standing up for them?  Am I compromising them?

I've been praying about this certain situation and these have been the questions I've been asking myself and God.  The thing I've learned is that NOTHING (or No Thing) is worth me sacrificing my integrity......Nothing!

This scripture really spoke to my heart as I was doing some digging on integrity, "Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways"  (Proverbs 28:6 ESV)  No matter what - it's best to walk in integrity!!


 

Happy Friday

Have a great weekend!  Try to do something F-U-N this weekend!  :D