“To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:2-3
If I could summarize God’s work in my life, I would simply say: I am a living miracle.
Growing up as an orphan in a third-world country, I witnessed God’s hand countless times — especially in my loneliest, most fearful moments. His presence was real, even when my circumstances seemed impossible.
Yet even now, faith is not always easy. There are days when despair creeps in, when God feels distant, and joy seems out of reach. But there are also days filled with hope, strength, and unshakable assurance.
Life is a journey — one of valleys and mountaintops.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:4-6 (ESV):
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
God’s ways are higher than mine.
As Isaiah wrote:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
— Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)
My prayer is to surrender fully to His will, trusting not in what I see, but in who He is.
Like David, I echo:
“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.”
— Psalm 27:4 (NKJV)
Prayer:
Dear God, help me — and everyone who reads this — to hear Your reassuring voice when hope feels far away. Remind us that You know every detail of our lives, that our days are held in Your hands. May we trust You more deeply and listen for Your tender, unchanging love.
Amen.
Beauty for Ashes 
Alphonesine, I do find encouragement in your words–God is God all the time and it’s in Him that we find our strength. All praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for lifting your voice Alphonesine.
Thank you very much Rose. God bless your writing
Hi Alphonsine. Thank you for saying it so well. I needed this reminder this week. Last week things were going my way and I was busy making lots of plans for all I would accomplish. This week, some frustrating roadblocks have gotten in my way. God is the same all the time. Your blog reminds me to be at peace in him and not measure my well-being by my earthly circumstances.
You are very right Connie, I pray that God reminds you and me that He has everything under control and He knows what’s best for us at the right time. Thank you for the sweet comment. Blessings to you as you write for His glory.
Wow, so well said, Alphonsine.
We should all think like that, knowing that one great day, or even week, doesnt guarantee another. Life is indeed, filled with ups and downs. We just have to remember, and Believe, that when we’re too weak to move on, He will carry us the rest of the way.
Thanks for your encouraging words and reminder. 🙂
Amen. Thank you Renee, may the Lord puts a reminder in our hearts that we cannot indeed do anything by ourselves, and may we learn to completely surrender and rely to Him. Many blessings to you friend.
I sense you drawing near to the Lord even when your feelings would tell you to give up. Because of His grace, you haven’t given up…you press on because He speaks to you in HIS WORD. Your life is a witness of His Power in you! You are beautiful in His sight…and to others!
Thank you! Your words bring tears of joy to my heart! You are very encouraging and thank you for your time reading my blog. May the Lord bless you. I will keep you posted as God leads this journey because He is my Counselor and Guide. I am truly excited to see how He reveals Himself as I make myself available, with His help of course.
woww!! this is inspiring!!! i am blessed by your words!!!
Thanks sweetie.
Alphonsine, Dear Friend, a powerful message right from your heart and from the Spirit of the Living God. God will use it as He chooses. Shalom. Amy
Thank you so much Amy. I appreciate your words! God is great 🙏