Unfinished Masterpiece

The Unfinished Masterpiece in All of Us

Question: Why do I love writing about God?

I’m glad you asked (wink wink).

Simply, it’s because I’m grateful.

I’m grateful to God for His grace which I experienced first-hand.

Also, His love has put me in such a place of humility that I want to tell the world. 

When I think back about our tragic family accident and how more of us on that vacation could have been killed, I’m reminded that God spared my life here for a reason.

In fact, we’re all here for a purpose – to reach others for Christ and to glorify God with the talents that He has given us.Unfinished masterpiece

Writing is kind of my “thang” (excuse the vernacular, but this is a come-as-you are blog.)

I’m not the best writer in the world, but I do have a passion to share Christian articles, short stories, music, and poems – anything that can bring glory to our Heavenly Father.

With that in mind, I want to share a little narrative poem that I wrote called “Unfinished Masterpiece” awhile back.

Unfinished Masterpiece in the Making

If you think about it, we are all unfinished masterpieces in the making  – created by God.

Unfinished masterpiece in the making

The central character’s name in this narrative poem is Gina.

She’s a successful model with a high dollar contract. 

Not only was she beautiful, Gina also had the makings of a superstar . . . until that one day in September when tragedy struck.

Gina is a believer, but her faith took a tumble after a terrible accident.

This is Gina’s story of God’s grace and providence.

 

Unfinished Masterpiece

“You can do this!”
the nurse said with a determined smile.
I sat up and pleaded,
“Can’t this wait awhile?”

She said “I know you’re scared, it’s okay to shed some tears.
Together, and with God, we’ll face all of your fears.”
Nurse Lee was my favorite, and I knew she meant well,
But this month of hurt and broken bones was like my own personal hell.

My face covered in bandages would in minutes be revealed.
A career-ending accident, my fate was surely sealed.
As a fashion model, my whole life was the pursuit of fame.
If my face is permanently scarred, they won’t remember my name.

In my dreams, I cried, “God
I know that You’re real.
But being thrown through a windshield ruining my life
was never part of the deal.”

Nurse Lee removed my bandages, one by one and with care.
I looked in the mirror, no words for what I saw there.
A big-jagged scar right near my hairline.
One eye was black and swollen, the other slightly blind.

I vented, “That’s it, then.
It’s all over for me.”
Nurse Lee shook her head,
“No – please don’t give up so easily.”

“Remember what I told you, Gina, these weeks that you’ve been here?
God is not done with you, actually this could be your year.”
“My year for what?” I said, “living in fear?
Saying goodbye to success and everything I’ve held dear?”
She reassured me, “You’re not alone, just call, and I’ll be here.”

“Nothing makes sense, Lee, why’d this happen to me?”
With the kindest of eyes, she replied,
“Don’t you see? God sees our joys and He also sees our pain.
No matter what happens, His love is the same.
Call on Jesus, and I promise that He’ll give you rest.
I know your life seems bad right now, but please know that you’re blessed.”

“You’re strong and determined, in time you can turn this around.”
I was so comforted by her words, I didn’t make a sound.
Her unwavering faith left me in complete awe.
Unconditional trust in God, not her pity, was what I saw.

I felt a glimmer of hope, no longer was I at wit’s end,
Lee wasn’t just my nurse, she was now my friend.
My modeling career is over, but there’s more for me in store
Only God can open a window, after the closing of a door.

I wanted her kind of faith, the same joy she had in her eyes,
The kind that could stand up boldly to all of Satan’s lies.
She’s right. My whole life’s not over, there’s much more I could be,
With God’s help I’ll find out.
I said, “Lee, will you pray for me?”

She gave me a hug, and gladly obliged.
At the end of her prayer, genuine tears she cried.
“I’m going to miss you here, Gina, but we’ll keep in touch.”
I replied from my heart, “I can’t thank you enough.”

“Remember, you are God’s masterpiece, but He’s not finished with you yet.”
My doubts began to fade and I was no longer upset.
My long hospital stay now over, I have a new life to begin.
It’s very slow-going, but my heart is on the mend.

I’ll never forget that day in September,
God sent me an angel of a nurse to remember.
My long, painful journey is to finally get to a Place
Where I’ll get to meet Jesus and personally thank Him for His Grace.

@2022 Gracie Jane. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Augustine quotation, influential early Christian church leader, courtesy of Christian quotes.info.

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When Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary

Outward appearances

Ordinary People

Do you have the good looks of a high fashion model?

The vocal talent of an American Idol?

Or, the superhuman strength of the world’s greatest bodybuilder?

Yea, me neither.

I guess by those standards, people like myself would be considered “ordinary.”

Do I Really Matter To God?

You matter to God

The word “ordinary” can have a negative connotation, kind of like you’re a “vanilla” instead of a ”Rocky Road.”

Let’s face it – being “ordinary” isn’t flashy.

But, you know what?

What the world considers “ordinary,” for a Christian, becomes extraordinary.

Do you know why?

Because God Himself, Who created you from the beginning, thinks you matter.

He created you, didn’t He?

Please consider this.

Your life matters to God and He has a purpose for it.

Wherever you are . . . right now . . . in your life.

15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:15-16, (ESV).

I Matter, But What’s Next?

We’re here on this earth to glorify God.

Not just on Sunday.

Your economic status, good looks, athletic ability, talent – those are all fine and good, but none of those have anything to do with your effectiveness for the Kingdom

Unless . . . you’re open about your faith when you’re receiving all of those accolades.

So what can we “ordinary” people bring to the table?

Bring your ordinary self and your heart for God.

Bring your prayerful heart and your willingness to reach out to others

and tell them about Jesus.

When Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary

Recently, I read a memorable quote from Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest America that addresses this very thing.

God isn’t looking for talented people, gifted people, or handsome people. I’m not saying that He won’t use those people. But God is looking for available people, and He can do a lot with a little. He can do extraordinary things through very ordinary people. God uses ordinary people to change the world. – Greg Laurie, Harvest Devotion. 

Please be encouraged. You may not always see the results of your faith-sharing, but in Heaven you will know.

Pray for those opportunities.

Not that long ago, I had one of those unexpected and grace-filled opportunities. It came right out of the blue. I was able to share my faith and testimony, uninterrupted,  with someone. It was a powerful moment and I’ll never forget it.

I know the Holy Spirit will take it from there with this dear person . . . in God’s providential timing.

Call On Jesus

Friends – you are not ordinary in the eyes of God.

We have work to do!

Grammy Award-winning vocalist, Nicole Mullen, performed a song several years ago that comes to mind. When I first heard it, I was drawn to the encouraging lyrics and the pretty melody.

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* Scripture quotation is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

** Quotation from Pastor Greg Laurie, Bible teacher, pastor, and author. From Harvest.org, “Ordinarily Useful.” Online Devotion. Accessed March 24, 2019. https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/ordinarily-useful/

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