Beautiful Things

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Allow me to set the stage here. Paint you a picture so you can catch a glimpse of how big of a dork I am.

It’s a Wednesday evening. 6:30, and I’m in my little NYC kitchen, making a big, beautiful salad.

I was super jazzed because I had bought some ~fancy~ ingredients to really spoil myself: red cabbage, kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes.

I know. Frickin’ Gordon Ramsey over here.


But I had Pandora playing, as I always do in my apartment – christian station – and the next thing I know, I’m literally belting out the chorus, to Audrey Assad’s “Beautiful Things.”

And even though I’m a singer (I was the lead singer of a latin cover band as my first NYC gig, so there’s another great mental image for ya) – but even though I’m a singer, I never just belt out songs on the reg. I mean, hello…thin walls. #PrewarApartmentLiving


So, startled at the noise spewing from my pie hole, I started listening to the lyric I was repeating over and over in this song:

“You make beautiful things out of dust…You are making me new.”

Chills yet? Because I sure had ’em, once I realized what the heck I was singing at the top of my lungs.

But maybe not for the reason you may think.

You see, I had been spending the day in prayer for my mom. Being in NYC, away from her has been really hard, I’m not going to sugar coat it. Really hard. I long for ways to feel connected to her, and I’ve found that prayer helps that. So after a particularly hard, tear-filled morning, I spent the rest of the day praying for her continued healing from her stroke. And so, I’m not joking, I didn’t even realize I was singing until I realized I was belting out that particular lyric. It was the Holy Spirit, I am sure of it. Caught ya red handed there, Advocate! 

But all kidding aside, there is something that I want to say to a very special reader. —You know who you are. —

img_9813-1

Healing is a journey. Healing is a long road that can be desolate at times. And right now, you’re walking through one of those dusty stretches of road. There is a deep sadness we feel when we find that we are unable to do something that was once a hallmark of who we intrinsically are. We mourn. We grieve the loss of our ability to be who we once were.

This is a very painful chapter of the healing process.

img_5563-1

I walked through this during my anorexia when I completely lost my personality. The goofy, fun-loving girl who would bust out funny accents and spontaneous dance parties was replaced with a hollow, unfeeling shell of a person without passion or zest or personality anymore. And during the initial phase of my recovery and healing, I was having trouble finding her. And there were days that I would grieve – heartsick that I would never be able to be that vivacious young woman ever again.

You make beautiful things out of dust.

Right now, you’re feeling like dust. Things are frustrating. Hard. Seemingly impossible. Will I ever be the same? I was once an extravagant garden, overflowing with the most beautiful of blooms, now all I can see is a hole in the ground. What will people think of what I’ve become?

You are making me new. — He is making you new. 

img_8286-2

There’s a danger that comes with discouragement. There’s a mindset that we can slip into that threatens our innermost spirit.

When we’re hung up on what we cannot do, or what is hard to do, or what we’re missing, we tend to only see those things. We’re looking down at the ground, focusing on the hole in the ground of what’s missing or lacking, and in our laser focus, we begin to think that that’s what the whole garden is like. I must be standing in a barren patch of earth.

But in your focus on that hole, you can’t see what I see. You can’t see that you’re actually standing in a beautiful garden, where succulent wildflowers are all around you. This flower: grace. That flower: humility. This one: courage. That one: perseverance. This one: peace. That one: Hope. But you can’t see it because you’re only looking at the hole.

Look up. See the beauty you’re radiating. See the exquisite blooms surrounding you.

img_4145-2

Sure, your garden may not be exactly the same as what it once was, but dare I say, this garden is better: even more beautiful than before. This garden was built on a foundation of resilience. And your bravery permeates the air with a fragrant aroma of dignity and strength.

That’s what I see when I look at you. I don’t see the hole. I see the magnificent and beautiful garden that is you. Because He makes beautiful things.

Never forget that.


Please find the lyrics and song below.

***Thank you to everyone who has ordered my books, Bloom: A Journal by BeautyBeyondBones and “My Blogging Tips“***

Click here to order your copy!

img_2712

________________________________________________________________
Stay Connected!

@beauty.beyond.bones – Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

A big thank you to my sponsor, BetterHelp Online Therapy.  Speak with an online therapist. Or check out content about eating disorders from BetterHelp.

Next time you’re shopping on Amazon, be sure to use my link! Doing so is absolutely FREE for you, and a great way to support this blog!

patreon

Thank you for considering supporting BBB on Patreon! You make this blog possible 🙂

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way.
I wonder if our life could really change at all.

All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found?
Could a garden come up from this ground at all?

You make beautiful things.
You make beautiful things out of dust.
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us.

All around, hope is springing up the this old ground.
And out of chaos life is being found, in you.

You make beautiful things.
You make beautiful things out of dust.
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us.

You make me new,
You are making me new.

You make beautiful things.
You make beautiful things out of dust.
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us.

img_4755

Published by

Unknown's avatar

beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

254 thoughts on “Beautiful Things”

  2. This is my very favorite song! I read your posts on Anorexia also, I’m glad you have healed, and hope you continue on praying! Its the most intimate, important thing to do for someone.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. We all have the power to rise again from darkness we will face at times. Life is beautiful, we are all beautiful within

      Like

  3. That was a beautiful post. Someday you will look back and see how God has used your story as a seed to help many gardens grow out of desolate holes in the ground. Someday you will look back and see how much you’ve bloomed. You are still growing. The tears we cry waters the soil to make a beautiful garden bloom out of the dry desolate ground. The life we live after surviving challenging situations is always more beautiful. Excellent post!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Holy smoke. I was just thinking about this song the other day (our youth group plays it commonly at our annual graduation banquet) and thinking “Yep…still haven’t found MY way.”

    So it’s a relief to know that the purpose of it all has not been forgotten or lost in the mix. Ashes are still being swept out, but they ARE on their way out.

    Like

  8. We must listen to some of the same music on Pandora. The first line of that song and insta-earworm in such a beautiful way. I admire how open, and vulnerable you are with us. Sharing your story so that others may find life in the midst of some pretty horrible stuff, or some stuff that simply isn’t easy.
    I love reading your blog – I always hear a little word from God. ❤

    Like

  11. One of your best ones yet! Have you ever noticed that people allow problems to literally take over their lives? You see it when you look at their faces, how they live in their houses, how they take care of their bodies (wait a minute!), etc…it reflects a much deeper sense of who they ‘think’ they are. Your right, ain’t seein’ no garden! One small note: I do believe “beautiful things” was written and sung by Gungor first (though I could be wrong)…I listen to both of them and it was on one of the first Gungor albums. Keep up the good work sister b.b.b.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. oh my gosh thank you so much!! yeah, problems can definitely become crippling, that’s for sure. oh really! that’s an interesting fact! i’ve never heard his version, but I’ll have to check it out 🙂 Hugs and love xox

      Like

  13. Trying to catch up on your blogs, I hadn’t been writing for a couple weeks/months. This is so good! You are amazing as always 🙌🏽🔥 thanks for sharing this

    Like

      1. I won’t tell anyone who it is. Our secret 😉 hahaha. Yes it really touched my heart. I’m not going to speak for everyone but I for one have stood in that hole :):)

        AND it was a blessing to read about your blessing too. While you were belting out that song, enjoying your visit with God :):) I was smiling the whole time reading it. I love it when God wraps His arms around one of His children. So, thank you for sharing that too.

        Like

  17. Loved this, Beauty. It is certainly true that God’s Holy Spirit breathes into our lives and helps us to know and understand God’s working in our lives.

    Thank you for your blog. I read every one, even though I don’t always comment.

    Congratulations on your book. I am a Christian author too.

    God bless, Mary T. Wilkinson

    On Thu, Oct 12, 2017 at 6:59 PM, BeautyBeyondBones wrote:

    > beautybeyondbones posted: “Allow me to set the stage here. Paint you a > picture so you can catch a glimpse of how big of a dork I am. It’s a > Wednesday evening. 6:30, and I’m in my little NYC kitchen, making a big, > beautiful salad. I was super jazzed because I had bought some ~fanc” >

    Like

  19. You have this profound gift for lifting people up through your writing. I suppose it takes hitting the bottom to understand how most of the human race feels inside so empathy can be shown to those you meet. Blessings to you!

    Like

  20. I know that place you speak of- where everything you’ve ever known, achieved, striven after, is shattered, crumbled on the ground at your feet.
    And the Father comes along, and begins to reassemble it all, only this time, into something completely new. And beautiful.
    “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth. Shall ye not know it? I will make a way in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.” -Isaiah 43:19

    Like

  23. Beautiful! It is so hard to think of ourselves as beautiful. But you are right.”He makes beautiful things.” That includes all of us peeps! Love your writing. Milly.

    Like

  26. 12th Anniversary Poem (fragments) 1981
    by Patricia A. Bow

    I know the scent and shape of you:
    I know you all, yet not at all.
    I linger with a connoisseur’s delight
    over a contour of bone, a texture of skin,
    gloating over treasures of silk and ivory
    that are mine alone,
    and yet no-one’s but yours.

    For you and I are so entwined
    that we can read each other’s mind
    at times, a simple exercize.
    Then comes the stumble of surprise
    when, reaching out in haste, I find
    the stranger self behind your eyes.

    Far apart upon the lawn,
    two tall trees confront each other
    never to touch, ever alone:
    yet beneath the grass and stone
    intertwined their roots have grown,
    so intimately webbed together,
    neither one can tell his own.

    So with us: which flatly proves
    futility of arguments
    On which is which, and whose is whose.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Beautiful.
      How lovely it is to be known… And how known we are by our Maker (Psalm 139).
      Thank you for sharing this.

      Like

  28. Caralyn, I love the fact that you’re so courageous to share your experiences to help others in need of it. Your words of encouragement produces nothing but positivity. I always get inspired to try to help others out in some fashion because of you. Keep it up and thank you!

    Like

  29. I love Audrey Assad and the lyrics of so many of her songs. Smiled as I realized she’s one you listen to as well. As I read through your post, you know what I kept thinking? That I bet your mom is really proud of you…BIG time. As always, thanks for sharing and encouraging and making us laugh in the midst of it. Sing on, friend 🙂

    Like

  32. You lift me up with your powerful, scintillating, sparkling perspective of His omni-creationism. You have reminded me He is still making “beautiful things” in the inner places of this aged, diminishing, deteriorating physical tent called the body, which temporarily houses the developing soul. Thank you Caralyn, so much for sharing your gift with so many blessings!

    Like

  33. Another great post! I’ll bet a lot of folks would love to see a daily YouTube Blog by you. Imagine you’ve heard this before. There’s a guy who has a YouTube daily vlog called After Prison Show. Fascinating personality. He has a whopping 400,000 Subscribers!
    It’s monetized big time. I sincerely believe you could do as well. Get a couple of good lights, have quality sound and go for it.
    Just a thought.
    Your friend
    Roland

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hey Roland! After Prison Show…hmmm I’ll have to check it out! Sounds pretty awesome. And definitely something to think about. I did a few videos about a year ago and i definitely enjoyed the process. Maybe it’s time to bring it back 🙂 also – I just emailed you back. Thank you for that wonderful note 🙂 were you able to download it? Hugs to you xox

      Like

  38. Loved this post. I remember recovery…. I remember not having a personality. It broke my heart and shocked me to my core when I realised what I’d become. Fortunately like you I knew/know Jesus and began to choose to believe the truth about myself and to believe that what he saw was better than what I thought I saw in myself. Now, I’m on my year abroad in Russia, and although its so hard being this far away from home, I’m just so amazed and humbled that I’m here. I’m actually living my dreams and becoming fluent in another language…. I look back and realise that 4 years ago we weren’t sure if I would get through my GCSEs and get into college (high school). God is so amazing. And I have a beautiful story of healing … and an inner strength that surprises even me. I have my personality back… I won’t say I’m the same person before I had anorexia because I’m a better person. I’m more confident and more in love with God than ever. It’s so weird, don’t know if you had this but a couple of times I would look back and just start ugly crying – not out of sadness or happiness, but out of pure relief that I’d survived… I don’t know how people recover without knowing God is with them!!
    Anyway… thank you for the post. Who knows, maybe I’ll write about it on my blog one day. Hugs!! 🙂

    Like

    1. Hey friend, thank you so much for sharing your story. i’m so sorry you can so personally relate. I’m so glad you’re having such a positive experience in Russia. I’ll definitely be praying for you while you’re there! you’re so right – God is amazing. I definitely have had those ugly cry sessions, and i think it’s actually really important to let that emotion out 🙂 sending such big hugs to you friend x

      Liked by 1 person

  39. God does make Beautiful things. Beautiful post, Beautiful song and Beautiful You! I belt out quite a few songs myself except my gong is a joyful noise to the Lord only! 😉
    Big hug, Beautiful!
    Tammy

    Like

  41. Brought me nearly to tears! So beautiful and fitting for what’s on my mind. I did two interviews today for the upcoming International Babyloss Memorial Day on the 15th of October, and so many of the good encouraging things you’ve said apply well for recovery from the trauma of such loss. I think enabling people to acknowledge and enter into their suffering while growing in hope and faith is such valuable work! God bless you! Your vulnerability is that humble dust that God makes beautiful things of…

    Like

  42. You said that post was written for someone specifically and they know who they are. I feel as if it was written for me and you don’t even know me. Love it.

    Like

  45. Great post! There is a song lyric by Neil Peart – “You’re only immortal for a limited time.” Overlooking the theological fallacy of that for a moment, it seemed true to me, especially when I was younger.

    When I was a teenager and in my early 20’s there was no “tomorrow.” I wasn’t going to ever die (I was immortal) and that shaped how I saw the world and how I tried to be in this world. I lived for the moment and I lived for me.

    But I got older, presumably more mature and more wise. God brought a beautiful woman into my life and all of a sudden life got fragile. And the world got bigger than just myself. I was thinking of my wife more and more and myself less and less. Then children entered my world. More fragility, wider horizons.

    At times I would grieve the passing of the old me. Would I ever be able to go back to that person I once was? The Holy Spirit whispered into my ear and my heart, “Why would you want to?” And he was right. Satan whispered on the other side and I found myself still grieving at times. But less and less frequently because my eyes were opened – hopefully never to be shut – to the man I am now.

    The man I am know because of my wife and my sons. Because of God. The man Christ died to save. This man is reality. The man I was is history. I will learn from history, but I will live reality!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much for sharing your story, Ed. This is so inspiring. It’s so true – it’s amazing the perspective a loved one brings 🙂 thanks for stopping by and for being so open and honest! bigwig hugs xo

      Like

  46. What a beautiful piece! It’s like one of those sermons where everyone feels it was written for them personally! Now THAT is writing! More thoughts on Patreon!

    Julie and I got back safely late last night. We had such a great time! Hard to believe I’m saying that when we really did NOTHING! Most of the time was poolside or the grill right nest to the cabana that was reserved for us. We took walk to the gulf coast Wednesday morning, then back to the pool. The staff was wonderful. We met two people from our (almost) old stomping grounds: Bedford Township Michigan and Ypsilanti! Who would’ve thought that far from Ohio?

    I even got my phone back from the driver yesterday. I wonder of God deliberately took it away!

    So a few minor thoughts await you at Patreon!

    Like

    1. Hey Jeff! so glad you two are back safe and sound! i hope y’all are tan and well rested 🙂 hehe So glad to hear it was a great trip. sounds idyllic! God is so good! thanks Jeff! looking forward to reading more of your words over on Patreon! Hugs and love xox

      Liked by 1 person

  49. I could not hit the like button enough times!!!!! This makes me think of my 13 year old daughter and even though she is fine right now, I know there will be a day when she will need this EXACT advise~! Thank you so much for writing this and giving me this insight

    Like

  50. I’ve been an Audrey Assad groupie for years – her music ushers us in to worship God & live in the love of Jesus. You would probably also like Sarah Hart (another amazing woman of faith & music!) Blessings as you pray & ‘be’ with your mom from afar: notes, texts, calls mean a lot (& surprise flowers or small packages!) 💐💜💐

    Like

Leave a reply to Teri Lucas Terificreations Cancel reply