beauty for ashes: Waste it all

I have been gone for exactly one month! It’s crazy to think about that but it’s even crazier to think that life feels normal here.I love it. I could go on and on about how different everything is here, but I’ll save your time. Class starts this Monday and I will be taking four language classes.

I am learning to trust in the Father and agree with who He is. Life over here is interesting because all of the things I previously found comfort in are gone, for the most part. But what’s left is the most sufficient thing of all. I have constantly been brought to my knees. I am starting to see all of the things I ran to in the past. Things that are not necessarily bad. Things that I put before Him. Through the process of learning a new way of life my weaknesses have been majorly highlighted. I am being broken. The path of brokenness is where we can be made to look more like Him. When you first hear the word “brokenness” you may think it is something negative. Oh no! Brokenness is deciding to choose His way over our own. His will be done! And that is when He can be released! I recently read “there is no brokenness without openness.” Through this process I am learning to be open with Him and with others. Transparency is key. Most of the time it is my pride that keeps me from that. My pride makes me want to have all of the right answers, look good, hold onto offenses, be recognized...

I keep being brought back to the Alabaster box (in Mark). Mary broke her alabaster box at the feet of Jesus. It was an expensive perfume that she used to anoint Him. The value of this perfume was equivalent to a year’s worth of salary. For her it was an act of worship. She poured out all she had and it emitted a wonderful fragrance. People thought that she was wasteful for doing that. These things often do look foolish to the world.