Among many things, I am an artist.  I usually don’t have enough wall space to hang my work.  I stored two of my favorite paintings under a bed. They had laid there unviewed for several years.  Did I mention the bed was in the cats’ favorite room?

So on the day of my exodus from the old house to the new, I discovered my two forgotten treasures.  In addition, I found the cat’s had left me a gift.  Two gigantic cat furr ball excrements right on the paintings!  I was crushed and didn’t know what to do.  I loved these works of art and the message behind them.   I guess my cats had other feelings.  My friends knew how distraught I was.  They kept saying “Can’t you just paint over them?” Artists know this is not an easy task, especially with paintings that are unique and were created years prior.

I didn’t know what to do.  Everytime I looked at them I felt crushed and a failure since I had no solution.  So, I decided that out-of-sight was the best option.  I buried them inside of a large rented storage shed where spiders and such could find a good home.

Four years later I was forced to empty that shed and move the paintings again.  This time they would be on my property.  But again, I had a shed I could store them in safely for a possible miracle in the future.  You see, I had believed in miracles…just not miracles with inanimant objects.  I felt that was too trivial for God to fix.  My not painting over them or throwing them out was my only way of hanging onto hope.

This past Thanksgiving, I had cause to go into the shed.  I noticed two canvas’ facing away from me. I pulled them out. I was crushed because once again I was faced with my failure to solve this impossible task.

But this time God new it was time.  He  knew I would be able to hear His voice and not be afraid to fix what was broken, with His help!

I bravely took both paintings out and began to follow the leading of a Power higher than my reasoning.  I again dusted off all the spider trails and dust.  He began to lead me (in a matter of minutes) into the solution to saving the original intent of these pieces while enhancing the beauty and detail. I’ll admit it was scary.  I risked making a mistake I could not turn back from.  But my need to be obedient …to go beyond the fear… the sense of failure…was greater than my need to hide the failure once again.

When I was done I heard something that I will never forget.  Something that was a witness to all of my life failures and unfinished business.  “When I say it’s time to repair the things that the world considers broken and unrepairable…it will be done and it will be better than before.”

Those painting hang on my walls in clear view of everyone who comes.  I challenge visitors to find the original traces of the cat deposits.  No one has been able to.  Many have had chills and look in awe of what God can do when no man can.

Do you feel like you can’t be fixed or something the cat puked out?  Don’t because He sees the beauty inside of you and knows the answers.  He is waiting for your OK to do the repairs and let the world see you how He intended you to be.   A work of beauty!  Say “yes” to Him.  What have you got to lose?