The Art of Restoration

June 1, 2004

by Ruth Bell Graham

During Word War II the Nazis were determined to wipe Warsaw, Poland, from the face of the earth. For six years they repeatedly bombed the city, killing thousands of people. Thousands more became refugees or were sent to labor camps.

Once the Nazis were defeated in 1945, the Poles returned to the destroyed city. Guided by some old photographs, they used their bare hands to rebuild the heart of their city stone by stone—exactly and lovingly. Today, when you stand in the center of this reconstructed area, you are easily transported back 700 years.

But the story doesn't end there.

After the war, whenever Germany had an old town or building that needed restoration, they turned to Polish conservators for help!

So has your life been devastated? God will give you the vision, strength and skill to rebuild. With Him beside you, the reconstruction can begin. And perhaps you will have the opportunity to use that art of restoration to help the very ones responsible for your devastation.