Have you ever refurbished a piece of furniture? It is a beautiful process. I was stripping an antique table and took notice of all the layers of old paint and varnish that had accumulated over the years, imagining all the different owners this piece had been in the hands of. Each person putting their mark on it by covering up the last owners’ imprint. When I finally got down to the raw wood I was amazed at its beauty. Deep raw grains that were impressions of the years this once magnificent tree had stood, deeply rooted in rich soil and reaching for the heavens in majestic glory. Waves in every band reflected the intense weather and movement of Creation in its wondrous seasons. Beneath all those layers was this piece in its original form.
Why is it that we keep covering up our past – hurts, brokenness, painful experiences, sin – with layers and layers of camouflage? Maybe we are trying to adapt to someone else’s expectations in an attempt to fit in. Or, we are in denial that our woundedness is causing pain and conflict in our life. We might even believe that if we can present ourselves in a certain socially acceptable way no one will see how weighed down we are in the torn, stained, smelly garments of shame, guilt, and regret..
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
When we become a believer in Jesus Christ, he doesn’t paint over our past to cover it up, and either should we. Jesus sees us for who we are, our original self, through the eyes of our Heavenly Father and His righteous love. God sees us as His original creation, flawless, perfect, unique, gifted, and set apart. When we ask Jesus to be our Savior and to forgive us of our wrong choices He does and sets us free from our past (Hebrews 8:12). We are now a new creation, filled with His Spirit, and learning to live in His original design – body, mind, and spirit.
And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezekial 11:19-20
Daughter, don’t live like you are refurbished by going back and trying to fix what doesn’t work or coverup what is not right in your life. Live like you are God’s original workmanship. Allow the Holy Spirit to strip away the layers of pain, shame, guilt, and regret. Invite Him in to do the hard labor for you, leaning on His wisdom, strength, comfort, and healing. Welcome Jesus to heal your deep soul wounds, give you a new heart, and fill you with His Spirit. Give Him your filthy shame soiled rags and accept that robe of righteousness that declares you as your Father’s daughter – His beloved. Change your narrative – reject those lies that have weighed you down with false guilt and renounce them in Jesus’ name. Stand on the Truth of God’s word and proclaim His promises over your life and build on the new foundation in Christ He has laid out for you. Live your life as God’s original creation
sheissignificant.com 
A word I heard just last night while I was reading A voice in the wind by Francine Rivers. It went so beautifully with what you wrote. Love to you:
Don’t be ashamed for something you did,because of someone you were, you have grown away from that life. You are a new creation and know have a new life. We do the best we can, with who we are, with what we have, at each season of life. Use what you’ve done, and walked away from stronger now, to help someone else. She/he is trying to escape from where you have been. Share your testimony, tell about my help/”Jesus” it will encourage and strengthen others so they can see there is always hope!!! And they to will turn and follow me.✝🌼☝♥🙏💞🤲
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I am also a fan of Francine Rivers. Thanks for sharing.
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