I must say, in the midst of all the destruction that I’ve seen over the past 10 days or so, I have seen some beauty.

I’ve seen beauty in people who work side-by-side with strangers to help strangers with the clean-up efforts.

I’ve seen beauty in laughter.

I’ve seen beauty in ordinary people going above and beyond to bring isolated people and animals to safety.

I’ve seen the beauty of sharing of a kind word or a word of hope.

I’ve seen beauty in gratitude.

And this morning, I’ve seen the beauty of this state. The mountains received a dusting of snow last night and at the break of day, all the beauty in the great Rocky Mountains became crystal clear.

Yes, there is still beauty in all of this ugliness of flood.

During times of crises, trials, and devastation, we have the opportunity to see beauty. It may be glimpses or quick snippets, but there is beauty when we take the time to look for it.

In the book of Isaiah, Isaiah shared words from God that have helped many get through difficult times. It gives hope to those who feel they are in hopeless situations. It provides comfort for those who are grieving. It sets prisoners free. It restores the broken soul.

Today I offer these words of hope from Isaiah. Perhaps they are exactly what you need. Encouragement. Hope. Peace. Love. Release. Promise. Restoration. Just know that all of this is possible through God. He is the One who will provide. He will create beauty from ashes.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of raise instead of a spirit of despair.

“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display o his splendor.

“They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations…

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.

“For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

“For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.” (Isaiah 61: 1-4; 10-11 – NIV)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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