Restoration
Greetings.
What do you think of when you hear the word restoration? Recovering an old sofa? Polishing some old silver? Remodeling an antique that shows signs of wear? Possibly.
But I like this definition, found in Webster's Dictionary better: "Restoration: The return of something to a former, original, normal, or unimpaired condition; restitution of something taken away or lost." A good example of this is the story of our rabbit, Nutmeg.
Sometime in the early fall of 2011, Nutmeg was found outdoors. Alone, cold, and hungry, she had been found and taken to a shelter. She had ear infections, was malnourished, and was missing the fur on the lower 1/3 of her body. One of the West Michigan Critter Haven foster families took her home to care for her. Here is an early picture of her:
It wasn't her picture that drew us to her. We had seen several rabbits that were available for adoption. But as we prayed about which rabbit God would bring into our family, and learned of her loving and affectionate nature, she was the one we wanted.
Her foster family had taken good care of her; they brought her to the vet, fed her a healthy diet, and loved her. By the time we met her, she was starting to grow in luxurious new black fur. We took her home, and she was on the road to a new life. A new life of peace, security, provision, and love.
Isn't that so much like many of our stories? It may come as no surprise to discover that God, too, is in the restoration business. So many of us try to live this life on our own, and try to make sense of it... but how often do we end up injured and broken, in need of healing and love?
That's where God comes in... if you'll allow Him to. When my life was at it's worst - when I was literally running from God and trying to run from all the hurt and pain, He pursued me and wouldn't quit. He never gave up on me, and He never left me. He slowly brought me through the process of healing - over many days, months, and years.
He had plans for me, you see. He wanted to bring me to a place of wholeness and restoration so I could begin to live - really live. That's what He wants for everyone. He says in Isaiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you (put your name here), plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." By prosper, He means "to grow luxuriantly" - like Nutmeg's luxurious new fur. Here is a picture of her now, a little over 1 year later:
Healthy, happy, whole and restored.
Just like our family took Nutmeg in, God can take us in, clean us up, heal our wounds, and restore us, too. Are you willing?
Blessings.
What do you think of when you hear the word restoration? Recovering an old sofa? Polishing some old silver? Remodeling an antique that shows signs of wear? Possibly.
But I like this definition, found in Webster's Dictionary better: "Restoration: The return of something to a former, original, normal, or unimpaired condition; restitution of something taken away or lost." A good example of this is the story of our rabbit, Nutmeg.
Sometime in the early fall of 2011, Nutmeg was found outdoors. Alone, cold, and hungry, she had been found and taken to a shelter. She had ear infections, was malnourished, and was missing the fur on the lower 1/3 of her body. One of the West Michigan Critter Haven foster families took her home to care for her. Here is an early picture of her:
It wasn't her picture that drew us to her. We had seen several rabbits that were available for adoption. But as we prayed about which rabbit God would bring into our family, and learned of her loving and affectionate nature, she was the one we wanted.
Her foster family had taken good care of her; they brought her to the vet, fed her a healthy diet, and loved her. By the time we met her, she was starting to grow in luxurious new black fur. We took her home, and she was on the road to a new life. A new life of peace, security, provision, and love.
Isn't that so much like many of our stories? It may come as no surprise to discover that God, too, is in the restoration business. So many of us try to live this life on our own, and try to make sense of it... but how often do we end up injured and broken, in need of healing and love?
That's where God comes in... if you'll allow Him to. When my life was at it's worst - when I was literally running from God and trying to run from all the hurt and pain, He pursued me and wouldn't quit. He never gave up on me, and He never left me. He slowly brought me through the process of healing - over many days, months, and years.
He had plans for me, you see. He wanted to bring me to a place of wholeness and restoration so I could begin to live - really live. That's what He wants for everyone. He says in Isaiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you (put your name here), plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." By prosper, He means "to grow luxuriantly" - like Nutmeg's luxurious new fur. Here is a picture of her now, a little over 1 year later:
Healthy, happy, whole and restored.
Just like our family took Nutmeg in, God can take us in, clean us up, heal our wounds, and restore us, too. Are you willing?
Blessings.
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