A couple of weeks ago, I refinished an old table in our house that we’ve had for more than ten years. My husband Kenya had accidentally damaged it one day while working on another home improvement project. I knew that if this piece of furniture was going to be salvaged, it needed a lot of sanding.

So I broke out my hand sander and went to my woodworking station, and I got to work – and boy was it ever a lot of work! I had to sand off the polyurethane finish and get all the way down to the raw wood to rid the tabletop of the deep scratches marring its original finish. Because my sander is older and isn’t the most powerful tool out there, this process took hours.

Even so, I found it relaxing. I was perfectly joyful (and very sweaty!) while completing this labor-intensive project.

Fun fact: This table happens to be the same one Kenya and I restored nearly six years ago. Back then, it looked so bad, we both thought of junking it. At the time, we didn’t know much about furniture restoration. And though neither of us claims to be an expert now, we at least know that restoration is possible.

Though both Kenya and I were disappointed when the tabletop got damaged again this time around, I knew what to do. And once I sanded down to the raw wood, every bead of sweat was worth it. The table looks beautiful.

After sanding, I put a few coats of clear polyurethane on top, and just like that, my table went from being damaged to fully restored in the same day.

Just like the restoration of that table, God is able to bring full restoration to our lives. Jesus was referred to as a “carpenter’s son” during His earthly ministry in Matthew 13:55. Fittingly, the Greek word “tekton” is translated as carpenter here, which means a craftsman or builder. And we already know, the Lord is a Master Craftsman!

Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “We are His workmanship.” He created and crafted us with a good plan in mind. So, even when we go through hard things and get battered, bruised and damaged, God takes us into His work station, and He works on us. He makes all things new and beautiful again.

I wonder, what season are you in? Is it a hard one? Are there some things broken in your life? Damaged? Out of alignment? Confusing? Disappointing? Do you need to be restored in some way? God is sending you this word to let you know that He is restoring all things.

When Nehemiah, a Jewish cup-bearer, first heard that the walls and gates of Jerusalem, the Holy City of his people, were destroyed, he was devastated. Nehemiah 1:4 says he cried and mourned over the sad reality of his people, the Israelites. But he didn’t take up residence in the valley of gloom and doom indefinitely. Rather, Nehemiah prayed and fasted, and he got permission from King Artaxerxes to go and rebuild those walls.

With God’s favor and help, despite many challenges and much opposition from his enemies, he got the job done. Unlike my few hours of work, it took Nehemiah and the Israelites 52 days to complete the job (Nehemiah 6:15).

The task was difficult for sure, but Nehemiah, whose name means Yahweh Comforts, was consoled, strengthened and helped by the Lord. And God is comforting you right now by reassuring you that good things are on the horizon. He specializes in restoring, renewing, replenishing and revitalizing whatever is broken.

No matter how bad the damage, nothing is beyond repair with God.

Trust Him.

Granted, some areas of your life may look like Jerusalem’s pre-restoration walls, all broken down. Yet, if you remain patient and steadfast, I promise you, God will fully restore. He will do things His way and in His own time. Like Nehemiah did in the beginning, you may cry, mourn and feel down at times. But, my friend, it will get better. There is yet hope in God.

To help you continue believing that God is restoring all things, I’m stirring Psalm 119:5 GWT into your cup of inspiration, which says, “Even in my suffering I was comforted because your promise gave me life.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, let the promises in God’s word give you life, hope, strength, courage and confidence that He will fully restore all things. And just like David did in 1 Samuel 30:19, I’m believing with you that you will recover all, and there will be nothing missing or broken.

Now, let’s pray.

God, life presents challenges, obstacles and difficult circumstances, and I have lost some things along the way. But I thank You for being a God of restoration, and I believe You will rebuild the broken places of my life and make all things new again for Your glory. In the meantime, as I wait for full restoration, I will hold fast to Your promises, because You can always be trusted to keep Your word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!