Blooming in the Ashes — Ami Loper

Thatched rooftops covering half-timbered buildings that make you think you’ve stepped into a village in the 1500’s. A looming windmill and wooden shoe stores. On the air floats the smell of freshly made Danishes. You would think you were in Denmark, but you never left the United States.

Have you ever been to Solvang, California?

After a drive through trip with my parents as a kid, I couldn’t wait to take my own children there and then to return with the Hubs as empty-nesters. It’s a sweet place to step back from our rushing world and enjoy something entirely different.

But Solvang didn’t begin as the Solvang we now know. Yes, it was started by a group of Danish settlers in 1911, but most of the buildings looked normal, like any other Californian building of that time.

Something transformed this tiny town into a gem that reflects character and pride of heritage.

That something was World War II.

Strange to think that a war, largely on the other side of the planet, could transform and give new life to a tiny town.

During WWII, Denmark was among other European countries invaded and oppressed by the German army. The Danish people of Solvang felt it deeply, especially as many still had relatives in Denmark.

One young man from Solvang, Ray Paaske, became a B-17 pilot and then a POW. When he returned home after the war, he brought with him with a renewed sense of his heritage. Ray and his younger brother became part of a brotherhood of young men who decided that Solvang should embrace its Danish heritage and look the part.

That’s right, a prisoner of war and the hardship of a nation of origin spurred on a transformation that has made Solvang worth going out of your way for.

Even the nearby city Santa Barbara, with its uniform and classic Spanish Colonial Style, didn’t originate with a group of city planners who arrived before anyone else and set the standard for style. That “Santa Barbara Style” was borne out of destruction. When a 6.3 magnitude earthquake destroyed much of the city’s buildings in 1925, it was rebuilt in the style that now characterizes and endears.

Now, this has not suddenly become a travel blog (although wouldn’t that be fun?). You know I’m going to make a spiritual parallel and perhaps you’ve already drawn the conclusions.

Beauty comes from ashes.

Even much of our fire-ravaged countryside exhibits that tenacity of life as green things begin to fight their way back before the ground has even cooled.

Jesus tells us that “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Tribulations will come; devastation may visit; battles and defeats happen. But it’s not the end of the story.

God has something for you beyond what you are going through right now. You, my Friend, are a city set on a hill; you will not remain hidden. And when you rise from the disappointment or tragedy that you are walking through right now, you will be given beauty for ashes. You will shine brightly of the glory of God that is displayed in those who have walked through the fire and have come out refined.

Keep walking through, Friend. I know your heart is weary and you’re not sure that good is coming. I know you’ve wondered if those plans the Lord has for you really are for your welfare and to give you a future and a hope.

They are.

He will bring blessing from your pain.

The best is yet to come.

“From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” Isaiah 64:4 

Make sure you pick up my free Printable Scripture Cards for “Knowing Your Abba’s Heart for You When You’re Hurting.” I pray they help you navigate through the ashes of your situation to see the goodness and faithfulness of your Heavenly Father. Click HERE!

And if you’d like to read more about living in the messy middle, read the blog post, “Mid-Season Misery” by clicking HERE.