He Molds From Shards

Have you ever broken something dear to you?

Perhaps it was a handmade craft from one of your children. Or a sentimental antique passed down to you from your parents or grandparents. Perhaps a piece of pottery painted by a sibling.

When we hold the broken pieces of such a treasure, the grief and loss we experience isn't about the object itself.

It's about what it represents.

Special memories. A beloved person. Measureless love.

The object provides us a reminder. To smile. To feel the warmth of love.

But what about when we break?

Perhaps it was a relationship.

   A dream.

      Your heart.

Those times we find ourselves looking at the pieces of our life wondering why we never heard the tornado sirens. Dazed by flying debris. Wondering where to even start again.

Yet God sees where we've fallen.

Whether our broken pieces represent our own sin or the consequences of someone else's, God does His best molding when we're broken.

The hard shells of pride, ego, and busyness that we erect keep our hearts distant from the One who loves us most. Sometimes He allows those He holds dear to break so that we come to the end of ourselves.

   Our agendas.

      Our to-do lists.

         Our self-centeredness.

            To seek Him.


In those moments that stop us in our tracks, we finally hear His gentle whispers. It's amazing how well we hear when all our strivings cease.

Then with great care, God pieces us back together.

   More beautiful.

      Still fragile.

         Yet stronger.

He holds your broken pieces -- His handmade treasure -- and reminds you it's never about the object itself. It's about people recognizing Him and His handiwork through your healed brokenness. It's about what He can do through you.

He molds our shards into stunning mosaics of grace.

“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.” Hosea 6:1-2

How have you allowed His light to shine through your most broken seasons of life? Or how have you seen that demonstrated to you through someone else?

.