Broken Things

Year 6-Day 40 :Today, I am grateful God can use broken things. 

Sometimes things get broken. There are times we feel broken. In this imperfect world, broken happens. 

"It has always seemed to me that broken things, just like broken people, get used more: it's probably because God has more pieces to work with." -Bob Goff

I love this quote. I have found it to be so true that God seems to do some of his best and most refining work in the broken places of our lives. Created in his image, we can get pretty wrapped up in creating our lives. In fact, it is not that hard to fill in all the little spaces of time with work and fun, that we leave little from for the one we claim is Lord of our lives. God is not the author of our troubles, but there are times he allows them. There are times that the trials and tragedies are the very thing that bring us to pause and re-evaluate what really matters. 

It is "Love Month". February is when hearts and Valentines are everywhere. It is a wonderful month to consider where we are in our relationship with the one who longs to be our "First Love". First in our hearts and in our lives and when that happens, we instinctively begin to love other. The ten commandments divide into two smaller sets. The first set  says: Love God the most. The second set: These rules help us love each other better. 

When asked which commandment was the most important, Jesus spoke clearly: 

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”Mark 12:29-31 

Relationships... even the best of relationships... are complicated. We all come from unique families of origin. We all have had hard times, failures, disappointments and found ourselves feeling like a broken mess. Good news. Our Heavenly Father specialized in restoration projects. He sent his son to purchase our messes... and then sent his Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us. He is just waiting for us to offer him our brokenness as an offering. He is ready and willing... in fact, he delights in making old things new. 

It is a good month to be sensitive to those without a special Valentine when the TV and radio are saturated with romance. It is a great time to share flowers with someone who isn't expecting them. Or... bake cookies for a widow or widower. There are endless ways to let others know that they matter and someone cares... even if they are not in a romantic relationship. 

Romance is lovely... but love is so much more. We are to love each other deeply and earnestly... because love covers a multitude of sins. There is no brokenness our Lord cannot heal and no heart so wounded his love cannot fill in the empty spaces. We do not have to be perfect to be useful... and in fact, our brokenness may grow our understanding of another's needs. 

We are all fixable... by His grace and mercy. 

Today, I am grateful God can use broken things.