The Gate Called Beautiful

By Donna McMorrow

“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

“Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” – Acts 3:1-10 (NIV)

The temple gate where this lame and broken beggar sat daily was called “Beautiful.” Our God finds beauty in us. Even when …

… we are lame and broken.

… we are not good enough.

… we speak unkindly to those we love most.

… we are sick or in despair.

… there are crumbs on the counter and dirt on the floor.

God sees beauty in us when we find ourselves in the same wretched place we have been before. We should not be ashamed to be broken and lame. God knows our frame. He loves our broken hearts.

As we turn to God with a beggar’s expectation, knowing that we don’t have enough on our own to make it through the day, God is joyful over our contrite hearts. The God of miracles and grace will cause us to rise and walk past the place where we have laid so long. With His great compassion and love, He finds us beautiful. Our broken places are a beautiful gate where Jesus meets us, heals us, and fills us with wonder and amazement.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. – Ecclesiastes 3:11

Donna McMorrow and her husband have been married 41 years. She is a retired special education teacher, adoptive parent, cancer survivor and child of the King. In her free time, she enjoys reading, photography and painting.