5 Days to a Fresh Start: Rebuilding After Divorce or SeparationSample

Day 2

You’re More Valuable Than You Think

But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’ (1 Samuel 16:7)

After neglecting my BBQ smoker for more than eight years, it had become a sorry sight. Faded, rusted, and weighing a hefty 300 pounds, the smoker had seen better days. The inside was coated with baked-on grime, mold, and other unsavory substances.

I tried to find a new home for my outdoor oven, but no one was interested in taking this ugly piece of junk off my hands. With no takers, I decided to dispose of the smoker at the dump. I made plans for the smoker to be hauled away, but on the scheduled day, I received a text message canceling the pickup. Frustration washed over me when I realized I couldn’t get rid of this eyesore.

A week later, during a visit from my professional BBQ enthusiast friend, I mentioned my plan to get rid of my neglected smoker. To my surprise, he advised me not to give it away. He educated me about the value of my equipment by explaining that despite its cosmetic flaws, this was a relic with a solid foundation and could be easily restored at a minimal cost. He even generously offered to help me fix the unit.

Inspired by my friend’s expertise and guidance, we dove into the two-week restoration project with enthusiasm. We rolled up our sleeves and worked tirelessly, repairing the smoker, and giving it a fresh makeover. Bit by bit, the smoker began to regain its former glory until, finally, looking almost as good as new.

While I admired the beautifully restored BBQ project, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to my life. Like the smoker, I had experienced my fair share of wear and tear over the years, and my value may not have been apparent to others and myself at times. However, through this restoration process, I learned a valuable lesson about God’s restorative plan for my life.

Just as my friend saw the hidden potential in the worn-out smoker and helped restore it to its former greatness, I realized God sees the same in me. Despite my imperfections and past mistakes, He plans to restore and renew me, to bring out my true value and potential. This experience was a powerful reminder not to judge a book by its cover but to trust in the restorative power of God’s love and grace in my life.

After restoring the smoker, I gleaned some truths about God’s restorative plan for my life:

• God sees beyond my flaws and faults and recognizes my true potential. I need to surround myself with people who also see my value and encourage my potential, lift me, and support me.

• Because something looks worn down doesn’t mean it’s not worth restoring. I must continue to believe in God’s ability to restore the areas of my life that feel lost or stolen.

It’s crucial not to lose hope prematurely, even when the storms of life have left me feeling beaten up, and my dreams and goals may seem rusty and faded.

• The restoration process takes time, effort, and hard work. I need to invest the time and energy to sand off the rust and clean up the ugliness in my life. Restoration may require using high-powered tools to tackle deeper issues beyond the surface level, but with perseverance and determination, I can make progress.

Just like restoring an old, rusty smoker, the process of your restoration may also come with challenges. Don’t give up. Be willing to put in the hard work, use the right tools, and take the time needed to bring out the true beauty and potential of your life. When God steps into our circumstances, He gives us spiritual eyes to see ourselves in a new light. We begin to see our true worth and value, and we realize that our past experiences or failures do not define our identity.

With God’s guidance and grace, we can emerge from the restoration process stronger, wiser, and with a renewed sense of purpose.

Promises for Renewal and Restoration

• Promise of Soaring. Isaiah 40:31: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

• Promise of Comfort. Isaiah 41:10: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

• Promise of Blessings. Isaiah 61:3: “To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”