This year has been one of growth, blessing, and tremendous favor, but understand me when I say it didn’t come easy. For the last seven years, there have been a lot of heartache, tears, and moments of loneliness. In the midst of this God has met me in the brokenness – He didn’t cause it, He simply showed up and brought good from evil-, and helped me see myself and others through His eyes. I have heard that growth isn’t easy all my life, but I didn’t think it would be this hard! If you’ve ever prayed for a mighty move from God, or you’re in the midst of crying out to Him for an area(s) in your life, be prepared for Him to come through in an unconventional way. I was talking with my therapist a few months ago, and I happened to mention how I never thought a breakthrough would look like what I was experiencing. I think too many times we want to put God in a box and want victory, but we aren’t willing to do what it takes to get there. I’m a very visual person, and so I like to think of it as someone who works with wood or clay for a living. These artists start off with just a block of wood or clump of clay and it doesn’t look like anything special, but after some chipping away and refinements you begin seeing a work of art come to life. What do you think would happen if the carpenter or potter stopped halfway through because he was afraid of “hurting” the piece he was working with? For all the mamas out there, what if your child came to you saying they didn’t want to grow up because it was painful? What if they told you they don’t want to learn how to pay bills or live on their own because it was too hard? Would you say, “It’s okay baby, you can live with me forever and I will take care of you”? Of ‘ Course not! You know that growing up isn’t easy but it’s necessary. Man, this is so hard to hear, isn’t it? Trust me, I am speaking to myself as well as each of you. A song that tends to be on repeat lately is by one of my favorite artists, Blanca, and it’s called, “Shattered”. I love this song because it gives me hope that even when everything around me seems to be shattered and broken, that is the moment God decides to show up big in our lives and make us whole! This isn’t pretty, it isn’t easy, but as scripture says God wants to,

Kintsugi Pottery

About ten or so years ago I was listening to a speaker talk on brokenness, and they showed the audience a piece of pottery, not too dissimilar to the picture you see above. This beautiful piece is a form of Japanese pottery known as Kintsugi or Kintsukuroi and is an ancient art form of putting broken pieces of pottery back together with gold. I found this very interesting as what some would consider junk, there is a whole group of people who consider this to be beautiful! Did you know God looks at you the same way? Where others see a messed up and broken person, God views you as a masterpiece. Just like the above photo, when we give our lives and brokenness over to Jesus he takes all of it and, with His blood that was shed on the cross, makes a work of art!

You may be like me and in the midst of heartache, feeling empty and broken. Sweet sister, be encouraged because God wants to take your brokenness and make you whole again. God desires to see you live with purpose and passion, but you have to give your hurt and past over to Him! God will not force you to do anything, He is a gentleman and gives each of us free will. Today, choose to trust Jesus with your life, your brokenness, and your future. I promise when you do, life as you know it will be like going from watching a black-and-white television to watching in 4K. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it! While you are in this season, look for things that you can learn from your brokenness. For me, I’m learning to trust God completely, and run to him first instead of bad habits, my friends, or go into isolation. I’m also learning to see myself through His eyes and give myself more grace and love. This is hard to do, but by doing this, I’ve been able to experience more peace and show love to others much better because I’m able to love myself properly.

I have a video I want you to watch by Blanca, the song I discussed above called, “Shattered” as you listen to this think about the areas that are broken in your life and what it’s going to take for you to give them over to Jesus so he can bring restoration and healing. He desires the best for you, the question isn’t, “Lord are you willing,” but “Lord how can you turn my pain into something praise-worthy?”

Lyrics:

I have seen valleys, the lowest of lows
I have felt heartache that would not let go
I have been shaken, deep in my soul
I have been broken more than you know
But here I am still standing
So believe me when I say
If you shatter
Every piece of you that’s on the floor
He can restore
And after
You’ll be even stronger than before
He can restore
What’d shattered
Nothing is wasted, there’s always a plan
He has a purpose you may not understand
He’s never been closer if you just hold on
He’ll take you deeper, He’ll give you a song
‘Cause here I am still standing
So believe me when I say
If you shatter
Every piece of you that’s on the floor
He can restore
And after
You’ll be even stronger than before
He can restore
What’d shattered
If I am still here standing
You can believe me when I say
That He is more than able to redeem Your every pain
If you shatter
Every piece of you that’s on the floor
He can restore
And after
You’ll be even stronger than before
He can restore, oh
If you shatter
Every piece of you that’s on the floor
He can restore
And after
He will make you stronger than before
I know He’ll restore
What’d shattered