Broken Beads
“O my dear brother Jonathan, I’m crushed by your death. Your friendship was a miracle-wonder, love far exceeding anything I’ve known – or ever hope to know.” 2 Samuel 1:26 MSG
Standing in front of the class, delivering ever-so-precise instructions before allowing my brave warriors to dive into their computer assignments for the day, something unexpected happened. I heard what sounded like gentle rain drops, but as I looked down, I noticed the actual cause of the sound – my favorite strand of beads had broken, spilling to the floor and scattering in every direction.
At that moment, as I studied them, (some fading into the multi-colored carpet), I realized that on the inside, I felt exactly like those beads: scattered, disconnected, broken. It was the week following Tonya’s death, and I just couldn’t seem to get it together. Nothing seemed to make sense, trivial things triggered agonizing emotions, and I couldn’t remember from one minute to the next what I was supposed to be doing. Sure, I was putting on a brave face, but that was just as much for me as it was for my students. If I paused to think, even for a brief moment, Niagara Falls would begin to stream down my face yet again. Before Tonya’s passing, life was moving along in an orderly fashion. Everything was in place, for the most part, organized and structured, much like a strand of beads. And, just as instantly as this very moment, it all seemed to fall apart.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalms 34:18 NIV
After gathering the beads together, with the eager help of the warriors, I began the intricate task of gently putting them back together again. The completed piece, though it may not look the same as it once did, will be special because I will fully comprehend how much time and care it took to mend it.
God, in this same manner, works to reassemble our brokenness, taking great care to ensure that the new, changed person, though made from the same “beads”, is stronger, sturdier, and yes - even more beautiful.
If you are feeling disjointed, isolated, or even broken today, let God, the great Creator, continue to craft you into a unique, refined, and stronger strand. He is the ultimate Artist, and you are his special work.
Simply Scripture:
“Being confident in this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil 1:6
God’s precious Word can serve as the strand that connects our broken pieces. Would you be willing to share your favorite scripture from God’s Word with us today? Click on the link to comment!