ashes to beauty

 

Tan Man, this is how I'll remember you. As the life of the party. Willing to dress or act as silly as possible to make others laugh. Always smiling, joking or sharing some random bit of knowledge about your latest interest. There's so much I don't understand. I have to remind myself that this is real. 

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord

for the display of his splendor.