Yesterday, my family and I were blessed to attend the 31st Annual Run to the Sun car show in Myrtle Beach, SC. We were a part of the thousands of enthusiastic spectators to enjoy the event. Among the cars, I found my dream car, the 1958 Chevrolet Corvette. Oh, she was such a beautiful lady. But so were they all, in their time, and in their own way.My husband, Mike and I, share a lot of things in common. One of those things is a passion for old cars. We also share the love of talking with people and hearing the story behind their classic. As we walked up one row and down the next, we took our time to speak with the owners, listening to their “heart of restoration” for their prized vehicle.One gentleman told Mike and me that he held on to his 1969 Chevy C-10 because he had worked hard to earn money to buy the truck for himself the year he graduated high school. It was brand new back then, costing him a pretty penny, but the cost was little compared to what it gave him—a sense of pride and manhood.Another told us his vehicle had belonged to his great-grandfather and had been passed down through the years. He along with his grandfather and father sat behind the old ‘55 C-10 Sidestepper, as we oohed and awed over the truck and the original bill of sale that dangled in the wind from the raised hood.The stories went on and on. Each one is as fascinating as the one before it. Each one with the general theme—“a heart of restoration.” A heart dedicated to spending time, devoting energy and pouring out of themselves.Until I began writing “The Restoration Series” I had no idea of the amount of work and sacrifice that went into restoring a vehicle. I just knew I like them. I like the body style of the Classic American Muscle Car, and I love the chrome accents and the details that went into the Grand ladies of yesteryear. The shiny buttons on the seats, the sculpted fins of the rear panel, the ornate hoods and taillights. They just don’t make them like that anymore. Through my character, Graham Daniels, though I am learning all about it.It is during the process of restoring old cars that Graham builds not only builds relationships but demonstrates the love of God for all. The “heart of restoration” did not begin with mankind. It came from the love of our Heavenly Father, long before you and I knew we needed restoring.Unlike cars, lives are not as quickly restored. Instead of years, it takes a lifetime of dedication, allowing the process to fine-tune and develop each of us into the masterpiece that we were designed to be. I am sure you are like myself, always finding that I need another touch-up, a little polishing and a little more 2. We are never going to reach perfection, and that is okay because we have a Father that has a heart of restoration.With every breath we take, He is continuously molding us, remaking the brokenness and bringing out the beauty in our scars.John 3:16, tells us that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whosoever would believe on Him would have everlasting life.” Everlasting is never-ending. That’s God’s love for me, and it is through this love that the restoration continues. He will not leave me as I am. Instead, with each new day, He works to bring out the best in me, leading me to my destiny in Him.David said that the “Lord leads him beside the still waters,” in Psalm 23. He did not say He led me there once, David said He leads me. Our Father is always providing what we need, never forsaking us along the way. In Psalm 51, David asks God to restore the joy of his salvation. Not that he lost his salvation, but he lost the joy. You see, we all venture wayward sometimes, we all get scratched and banged up, but our Father has a “heart of restoration,” always bringing us back to our place beside Him.I don’t know about you, but I am so thankful that my Father has committed Himself to the restoration of this ole girl. He never gets discouraged, thinking the process is taking too long. He never gets upset worrying over the cost of my restoration. Every day, with grace and mercy, He continues, pouring out Himself on me.Just as the owners at the car show, I pray that God basks Himself in the glory I bring Him. I pray I bring Him pleasure and great pride. I pray as He continues the process in me, others will see His “Heart of Restoration” and come to know Him as Savior and Lord. Until then, may I ever be patient and still as He works out His will in me.