When we moved into our house, we had a blank space. The more I thought about how to fill this space, the more I thought a piece of driftwood would fit nicely. The only problem was I didn’t have any. Oh well, we live on a lake so finding driftwood should be easy, right? Well not so much. However, one day I was on the side of our house where there is nothing but rocks when a beautiful piece of wood caught my attention. In further examination, I noticed spider cocoons, tiny rocks, and all kinds of debris caught in its cracks and crevices and some areas had a green tint to them. I immediately loved it and decided it would the perfect piece for our blank space.

Upon showing it to others, it was suggested that we remove all the debris with a good power wash, but I loved it just as it was. I thought it gave the wood character and was part of the wood’s story. If driftwood could talk, I imagine it could tell wonderful stories about when it was attached to a big, beautiful, vibrant tree.

But you know what? I think it could also tell wonderful stories of storms weathered, nourishment and shelter given, character built, and changes in color and texture giving way to new beauty and weathered charm.

The longer we live the more weathered we become. I don’t know about you, but I’m not as vibrant and green as I used to be! The storms of life have weathered this ole gal. Through the years, I’ve collected debris, become home to much and some uninvited, and the green tint I now have here and there could be mold or maybe it’s moss. Let’s go with moss (haha). Before you start thinking I’m being hard or negative on myself, I am not. My goal is to encourage us to embrace our weathered lives as a beautiful blessing.

Like this driftwood, time has produced character, charm, and a different kind of beauty. To my sisters in Christ…oh the stories we long to tell of storms of life we’ve weathered with Jesus. As an encouragement to you, we'd love nothing more than to share about the refuge we’ve taken in Jesus allowing us to be a refuge to others and how He’s redeemed the debris, rocks, and worn places. Sure, some pass by without a glance but some of you will be captivated by the weathered charm God has produced and we invite you to come and sit a spell.

As we’ve done with this beautiful piece of driftwood, you put yourself on display every time you enter a room and into the presence of your sisters in Christ, your family, your friends, and potential new friends. Just continue to be willing, ready, and able to testify that the life lived in Christ is the abundant life. Let your testimony of life in Christ radiate the beauty of Christ as only you can do because you are His unique creation, weathered for His purpose and using your weathered and beautiful charm as your powerful testimony of faith.

“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” Revelation 12:11