~by Shenan

I went on a study abroad last year. This was one of my favorite places we visited. I’m grateful for the reminders from something I wrote a year ago—beauty from ashes and the Creator is in control.

Beauty from ashes.

What a hopeful thing.

This church was destroyed during WWII. In 1993, they began to rebuild it, and even used some of the original stones (the darker ones in the pictures). After 12 years, it was complete.

As I had the opportunity to visit this magnificent church, I thought about this:

Sometimes the beautiful things we have in our lives may be destroyed, right before our eyes. We may see a pile of rubble and not exactly know what to do with it, or how to piece it back together. However, one day, when the time is right (as patience is often required), it can be rebuilt. One brick at a time. Until this new and beautiful thing is complete.

It took 12 years for this church to be rebuilt. What’s that saying? “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Find patience. Find the joy in the journey of rebuilding. It’s there. You’ll just need to work some to dig around in the pile of rubble and find it. This church was completed by using pieces of its burnt self. It stands as a constant reminder that beauty really can come from ashes. Its scars provide hope for a better and more beautiful future.

“If mortal hands can transform rubble and ruins into a beautiful house of worship, then we can have confidence and trust that our loving Heavenly Father can and will rebuild us. His plan is to build us into something far greater than what we were—far greater than what we can ever imagine. With each step of faith on the path of discipleship, we grow into the beings of eternal glory and infinite joy we were designed to become.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2016/04/he-will-place-you-on-his-shoulders-and-carry-you-home?lang=eng)