“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” ~2 Corinthians 5:17

We walk up to the corner with the crowds; wait for the traffic light to change so we can cross the street. Stand next to a telephone pole that looks like a piece of art.  A mosaic of gum stuck to a pole that sits on the corner of a busy street in Charleston. And before we knew it was gum, that pole caught the eye as the artistic workmanship of an aspiring creative.

Isn’t that what God does with our lives?

He takes the messy, gooey, icky messes we make of life and redeems them, makes them beautiful. It is when we get close up, look at ourselves through the magnifying glass of perfection that we see the ugliness.  But when we stand back, see how our piece of gum fits into the world of other pieces, we become beautiful to those that pass by and stop to look.

Do you feel stuck today? Can I encourage you to put some distance between where you are and where you want to be? Because taking a few steps back to see the panorama of life gives clarity, widens perspective.

As I pour the sticky goodness of maple syrup over steamy pancakes this morning, serve three sleepy teenage girls breakfast, I thank God for the way He redeems what the world tries to stick onto me, onto them, onto you- into a life of purposeful beauty.

Wherever your wanderings take you this weekend, may you find your place to stick, see the beauty of redemption along the journey.

Linking with Katie Lloyd Photography , A Pause on the Path and [I Love] Saturdays