Beauty for Ashes

Once I had a dream. In my dream I saw a large screen. On half the screen pieces of wood floated across and formed part of a cross in which was written, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” In my dream I thought, “Something is missing!” Then pieces of wood floated across the screen forming the other half of the cross. On that half these words formed, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The cross before me was empty except for the words written on it. The one who had died on the cross was risen. He had triumphed through the cross and over came sin, death and hell. That is the balance and beauty of the greatest story ever told and the true story that gave me beauty for my ashes. Once I lived. I grew. I laughed. I failed. I hurt. I was ashes. Then I searched. I hoped. I found. I repented. I believed. I endured. I failed. I cried. I succeeded. I loved. I rejoiced. I died. Now I’m glorified! Dean L. Gossett May 8, 2004