“Something Beautiful”
William and Gloria Gaither
(C) 1971
“Something beautiful, something good —
All my confusion God understood;
All I had to offer up
Was brokenness and strife,
But God made something beautiful of my life.”
We sing this song every Sunday, it is a staple of MCC New Orleans but let’s look into the story behind the lyrics.
William and Gloria Gaither have written over ** songs including Something Beautiful.
Ever have dreams and ambitions that didn’t quite work out? Still striving for them? These could be in our work, our spirituality, personal or many other areas of our life.
One day Gloria Gaithers daughter, around 3 years old, was painting, covering a blank page with paint. Blobs dripping everywhere creating a watery mess of colors. She came into to the kitchen and asked her mom for rag. Using the rag she attempted to rub off some of the excess paint creating a hole in the paper and getting water and paint smeared everywhere!
“Oh Mommy,” she sobbed, “I tried to make you something beautiful but just look! I dropped some paint.” She heaved and caught her breath. “I tried to fix it, but it just got worse and now just look!”
Her mom took her in her arms and let her cry out her feelings of frustration. Then responded “I think there is another piece of paper in the closet”. The paper was changed and the daughter began a new piece of art.
Just like in this story, when our dreams or ambitions might not be achieved yet God holds us in those big arms and lets us get out all our frustrations and confusions and then says it’s ok let’s try again.
Even in confusion and frustration, disappointment and mess God is there arms wide open to take us in and say it’s ok. No matter how many times we fail or fall short God is there for us.
Let’s strive to be the best in all our lives knowing that God is there each step. Good, bad or messy – God made something beautiful of my life.
(Story and quotes taken from Homecoming Magazine)
Ryan LeJeune
ryanleelejeune.com 
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