Beauty From Ashes

As I drove home last night I could see the smoke of some serious fires going on in East Texas and the very western part of Louisiana. A little later on, as I walked around my neighbor hood,the setting sun shining through the smoke and the trees was beautiful. I almost forgot that there were tragic fires burning out of control close by, until the direction of the wind changed and the smell of smoke surrounded me. I continued to walk and marvel in the setting sun and moon coming into view. I couldn't help but think, "God can make beauty out of anything."After all He made man out of dust. (Genesis 2:7)Then I look back over my life, the choices I have made, the road I have taken, and I look to where I am now. Wow have I come along way. My life was ugly and full of sin, but God used the ashes of my former life to create a new life that is pleasing to Him.I am so grateful that in Him all things are new. He can use your ashes too. Surrender them and see what beauty He can make. 
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"2 Corinthians 5:17