What is it about January 1st that makes us want to start fresh? Of course it marks the first day of the new year, and helps us mark time passing. But why is it so significant in relation to goals and resolutions.? I think we all know that there isn't anything particularly different about January 1st than any other day of the year; but I think new years resolutions, the uptick in gym memberships, and the bullet point list of goals points to one simple fact: We all crave a fresh start.
Our feature for our first blog post and the month of January is our beauty for ashes collection. Throughout the bible ashes are mentioned and used symbolically quite often. They are often a sign of suffering and destruction. Many who were mourning or in pain would sit in ashes and scrape themselves while wailing. Ashes are left after the destruction of fire. Ashes are ugly, dirty and dry; void of any life.
But God.
Only the Lord God is able to bring beauty out of the dirt, the dust, the ugliness that is ashes. No matter how horrible our circumstances God can bring beauty out of the ashes for his children. He can turn around any and every story that looks destitute and use it for HIS glory showing his mighty power. A fresh start if you will.
This collection was born out of Isaiah 61:3. We hope they will serve as a daily reminder whether you're wearing a necklace around your neck or using a book mark to mark your page that with God all things are possible. That he can take even ashes and turn them into something completely beautiful that would have never happened without the firey destruction that came before it.
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim 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 joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair". Isaiah 61:1-3
From your fellow freckles
Sonya Martin & Andee Martin
