By Melissa McLaughlin
Birds belted out their spring chorus as warm air brushed against my cheek. The chains on our porch swing squeaked in rhythm as I glided back and forth.
With supper on the stove, Mom hastened out the side door of our kitchen. She whisked away to the lower end of our driveway with garden pruners in hand.
Snip, snip, snip. Mom clipped lush blooms from the seven-foot lilac bush growing there. It was late spring. Lavender blossoms draped down like a fragrant violet blanket. She returned to the kitchen with a glowing bouquet of lilacs.
Our dinner that night may have been simple. We gathered around our table for a home-cooked meal. But the bouquet of lilacs in the middle of the table made it feel like an angelic host hovered there. The sweet aroma and gentle purple flowers created an air of heaven in our home.
Mom still loves lilacs, and so do I. When she was growing up, it was the only flower that grew near their home, and they picked them for her mom, my Nanny, when they were children. Seemed like God sent the flowers every Mother’s Day for Nanny, then for my mom, and now for me.
One interesting fact about lilacs is they flourish from the nutrients found in ashes. “Wood ashes are rich in Potash, the very substance that raises the pH of soil, and therefore ‘sweetens’ it. Sweet soil is the delight of lilacs.” (Source: Jacobs- Wood Ashes in the Garden)
In God’s economy, nothing goes to waste. He transforms even ashes into beauty.
This spiritual lesson, taught through God’s creation, reminds me of one of my favorite Bible passages in Isaiah 61:1-3 (NKJV).
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted…
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
In ancient times, people placed ashes on their heads as a sign of mourning. However, Jesus quoted this passage (Luke 4:16:20) when announcing Himself as fulfilling this prophecy. He declared Himself the Messiah.
Imagine, the Man of Sorrows, brought beauty from our ashes and joy to replace our mourning. Through His unspeakable sacrifice on the cross, He removed our shame, paid our sin-debt, and restored us to God’s family.
In His nail-scarred hands, our souls bloom again, and we release His heavenly fragrance in this world.
Are you facing hard times? Feel like you’re standing in the ashes. Lift your head to see Jesus. He still brings beauty from our ashes.
What Bible verse helps you remember Jesus’ transformational power?
Update for My Readers
I am thrilled to announce that everything is on schedule for the release of The Whole Bible Devotional on January 28, 2025!
The book is available now for pre-order from Amazon and major retailers. In addition, the publisher, CLC Publications, is presently offering a discount for pre-orders. I hope you will get a copy today! Or tell a friend! Below are links for pre-orders.
Another wonderful update—our Book Launch Team is up and running! These wonderful people are helping me spread the word about The Whole Bible Devotional and are preparing to write an honest review upon release. It’s not too late to join our Book Launch Team. If you’re interested, please fill out this FORM.
Please keep me, everyone who is helping, and everyone who will read in your prayers. May Jesus be seen, known, and loved more and more! God bless you, friends!





Amen. God can bring beauty from the ashes. He loves us more than we can imagine. 🙂
When we pause to consider, His love is overwhelming. Up from the ashes, crowned with beauty. Only Jesus can do this!
Beautiful intro, Melissa. I didn’t know that about lilacs thriving from wood ashes. So interesting. And I find it comforting how God turns ashes to beauty. Hallelujah! So exciting your book is coming out in 2 weeks! I’m happy for you.
Isn’t that a fascinating fact? I knew some plants thrived in ashes, but had research to discover the lilacs. Something so lovely from ashes. Isn’t God wonderful! Thank you for the encouraging words about my book, too. And thank you again for writing an endorsement for me. I am so grateful for your support. God is so good!
Reading all wonderful comments on “X” this morning about your new book. “The Whole Bible Devotional.”
Congratulations and thanks be to God!
To God be the glory! Thank you, dear Chebba, for your encouragement. Thanks be to God!
Thank you for sharing those fond memories. A ‘tingle’ to read and masticate on. Prayers and blessings for continued favor on your book. I preordered a copy today. Stay aafe and keep on keeping on for Jesus!
Thank you, Pastor James, for your encouraging words and gracious support! Thank you for always pointing others to Jesus! God bless you in all your ministries, too!
Loved your message and prayers for the release of new book.
Thank you so much, Yvonne! You are a blessing to me!
Such a beautiful analogy! You are right… beauty from ashes. Dry bones to life. He can and does make beauty from all things and works good from even what others intended for evil!
Yes! He is a God of restoration, redemption, and hope! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Jessica. God bless you!