Finding Beauty in the Ashes: One Woman’s Story

Last updated on: November 8, 2017 at 1:05 pm by Ashley Willis

Finding Beauty in the Ashes: One Woman’s Story 2017-11-08T13:05:45-04:00 Ashley Willis

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I praised Him for who He is- our Father, our Creator- because He deserves to be praised simply for giving us life.

For years I prayed for God to bring me my husband, and He has. I’ve wanted to be a mother my whole life, and now I am. I am blessed with not just a husband, but my soulmate; a man who is so good and virtuous it puts me to shame.

I not only have a child, I have a beautiful, healthy, amazing baby boy who is so full of light and fills my heart with so much joy each day that I have to pinch myself. I have a mother with an enormous heart and sacrificial spirit who has been with me almost daily to help nurse me back to health and care for our son. I have a father who’s singular love language is to provide, which compels him to constantly think of ways he can help my husband and I create a stable and prosperous future for ourselves and our son. And I have a husband who has been so strong, supportive, steady, and wise throughout all the challenges we’ve faced this past year. He is my leader and my rock.

I thanked Him for being able to afford and participate in the treatment my body needs to get well again. For our home and the beautiful land we live on. For more than enough food to eat and clean water to drink. For opening up doors and providing opportunities. For leading and guiding us. For never leaving us. I thanked Him for all of this and so much more.
I praised Him for who He is- our Father, our Creator- because He deserves to be praised simply for giving us life. I praised Him because He knit me in my mothers womb, because all my many hairs are counted, because He calls me by name and I am His (Psalm 139:13; Matthew 10:30; Isaiah 43:1-2). I praised Him because He is good and sovereign. He sent His only Son, who died for me, and opened the gates of Heaven so I could someday rest in my eternal home. I thanked Him because I have done nothing to deserve His love, yet He loves me anyway. He does not need me, yet He wants a relationship with me anyway.
And for all of this I am in awe. I am humbled. Yes, I am blessed.
So the next time you are tempted to focus on the negatives in your life, look again, and remember that “beautiful pictures are developed from negatives in a dark room”.
Rejoice in your blessings, embrace the challenges, and trust that your good and loving Father is handling your life.
– Jacqueline Rose Spang

About the Guest Blogger: Jacqueline Spang is a wife, mother, entrepreneur, Lyme Disease warrior, and advocate for the chronically ill. You can contact her and follow her spiritual journey on her blog , 4 the Narrow Road and her health and wellness advocacy on her Facebook Page.

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