American Restoration – I often watched this show on the History Channel. Week after week, worn vintage items were brought to Rick Dale’s workshop. Week after week, even when items appeared to be far beyond repair, he restored them to their shiny new original condition.

It made me think about the one who is by far the “best in the business.” Yep, our Almighty God is definitely in the restoration business. Look at us. Like the vintage items brought to Rick Dale’s workshop, we are worn, battered and flawed. But our heavenly Father sees not what we are, but what we could be. He has mercy, He forgives. Yesterday’s dirt and grime is wiped away. We start each day fresh and new.

Our Bibles are full of stories of men (and women) who were served by God’s Restoration Business.

Think of Saul, a persecutor of Christians, who was stopped in his tracks on the road to Damascus. The heavenly Father wiped him clean, restored him, and sent him on his way as the greatest of the apostles.

Think of Jonah, who really didn’t want to go to Nineveh. He boarded a ship and headed the other way. The Restoration Service took a hold of Jonah too. Thrown overboard during a storm, he spent time in the “belly of the whale”. That time changed him and off he went to preach in Nineveh.

Think of Sarah, aged and barren. When she heard she would have a child, she laughed. (And we would too). Enter God’s Restoration Service . . . Abraham and Sarah would and did have a son. They named him Isaac.

The customers, who brought their vintage items to Rick Dale’s workshop, did so because they had seen his work. They had confidence that he could help them; they trusted him.

If you have any doubt that God can “restore” you – just look at the many, many restorations He has already accomplished. Then place yourself securely in His hands. He wants to restore you today, tomorrow, every day. Why? Because He loves you unconditionally.

Judy