It's been a full week since last I posted. Am I really that blind to the good things God gives? Am I really that lazy not to take time to appreciate the daily reminders of his love? Am I really that stubborn that I would rather be frustrated at my surroundings than take time to thank God for the tough things?

In her book One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp says "We don't have to change what we see. Only the way we see." She also talks about a paradox of ugly and beautiful. When my eyes see "ugly" my heart reminds me that God is the Maker of all things and that "Every good good and perfect gift if from above" (James 1:17). And when I give thanks for the ugly, God transforms it. He transforms me and opens my eyes to see the beautiful.

I am thankful that I'm imperfect.
If I were perfect, life would be bliss, wonderful bliss, but would it be dynamic? As a flawed person I get the privilege of becoming more like God, of experiencing His love in increasing measure. I know everything will be perfect in Heaven, and I'm not saying I won't be grateful when that day comes, nor that heaven won't be dynamic, but I'm beginning to love God's plan for sanctification in this world. I love that I have potential to grow more into the likeness of Christ.

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!" We shall recognize our sin and turn from it and turn toward Love and Holiness.

Sometimes transforming the ugly to beautiful is hard. I need to want to see the world with God's eyes, and I need to want transformation. Today I did what I've been putting off for a while, because it's hard. I've been having a hard time trusting that God put me on this team for his glory. I don't always connect well with my teammates, and I don't always feel "spurred on to love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:25). Our relationship can certainly look ugly at times.

So I sat and started writing down all the things I'm thankful for about my team. I need to want transformation. To be honest, it was hard at first, but it got easier and I transitioned from writing single attributes to writing a letter to each of my teammates. I do love them. They are God's beloved, how could I treat them any differently? They are beautiful and have a lot of godly attributes, even some that I can learn from. God also revealed sin in my life, mainly stubborness and pride that has prevented me from genuinely thanking him for my team in the past.

“beauty as that which being seen, pleases” -Thomas Aquinas

“And if all the work of transfiguring the ugly into the beautiful pleases God... is there anything in this world that is truly ugly?” -Ann V

26. Julie
27. Bim
28. disagreements
29. my imperfection
30. God's gentle correction
31. God's transforming power
32. coloured pens
33. the power of kind words
34. ice cubes (I do still live in Africa...)