There was a span of time that my family gave me Precious Moments figurines as gifts. It wasn’t that I was collecting them. They were given as reminders of seasons in my life, in our lives as a family. So the few that I have are significant in the message they convey. This morning I am marveling at even the manner in which God has brought this post together. Let me give you the progression:
- the title came to mind a few days ago with no further or apparent thought
- I had dinner with a friend
- I looked at a particular Precious Moments figure
- turned it over to see what it had been titled
The figurine had been given to me by my children during a season of my life in which I both bowled in a woman’s league and was facing a difficult time in my life. A time where a surgery was supposed to be “simple” and the recovery “quick”. Instead it turned out difficult and required weeks, weeks, of laying in bed and being flat on my back.
A few weeks ago, my granddaughter dropped it on the floor and one little part broke off. And so, I did what anyone would do – I glued it back on. And it looks pretty good, if I say so myself.
This morning, I went to look at it as God was stirring my heart. I could no longer detect which part had been glued. Seriously. I turned it over to read the title.
And that is when I read – Lord, Spare Me.
Often in my life, I have prayed, “Lord, spare me!” I can recall those times when in tears, before Him, I begged, I cried, I implored, I demanded, I tried to bargain even. I just wanted the particular circumstance to be over. For the pain to end. I was tired of feeling broken. Like my life was in pieces before me.
“He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3a, NLT).
How beautiful a promise truly! This Scripture gives me such a sharp contrast between what was and what will be. It tells what is the past and the transformation that will yet occur in life. In my life. And in yours too.
This metaphorical way of describing the outward transformation of a person’s clothes and behavior betrays a deep transformation of this person’s situation as well as their psychological reaction to the changes God will introduce.            (New American Commentary, Vol. 15B, page 636)
Our God takes the shattered pieces of our lives and puts them together. He not only changes them circumstantially but He changes our responses and reactions as well. In other words, He puts us back together body, soul and spirit in such a way that we can hardly detect that we were ever broken at all. He never loses a single piece. He puts us back together so that we are a beautiful display of His splendor.
He Holds The Broken Pieces
I am joining Behind The Scenes and Tell Me A Story and Unite and Soli Deo Gloria and Momma Notes and Titus 2sdays and Teach Me Tues. and Titus 2 Tuesday .
Dear Joanne
Yes, our Pappa brings beauty out of our broken pieces and polishes us until He can see His reflection in us!
Blessings XX
Mia
Joanne,
What a beautiful comparison of the broken figurine and circumstances that break us….I love this. The best part for me is knowing that I have come out of this stronger than before…just like the glue, God is holding us together, actually making us stronger than before! It is through these trials that our faith is tested and strengthened. You are right, the circumstances may not change drastically, or at all…but WE do! Thank you for this post as a reminder of that today 🙂
Blessings,
Debby
Debby – And yes, that truly is all that matters – that we are changed! Thank you for stopping here today!
What an encouraging post dear Joanne! I am forever grateful that He takes all of our broken, sometimes even shattered pieces and puts them together making something more beautiful, new and stronger than what it was before. Blessings and love to you my dear sister!!! xoxoxo
I am grateful that it was encouraging. May we hold onto the truth that the end result is worth it when we go through difficulties. Blessings!
Broken but not cast away or lost. Some we look at and they seem like humpty dumpty, and we think, they are not salvageable and cannot be put together again. WRONG – – God has eyes that see deep into hearts and he know this person is valuable. Oh the joy when he finds a broken piece in us and happily glues us back together again. Thank you for sharing with us here at “Tell Me a Story.”
Hazel – Yes! Always salvageable! Thank you for adding that & for faithfully hosting a great linkup!
What a wonderful story! I am struck by the bowling term, “spare” being a pretty positive thing. Sometimes when we ask to be spared, we are really asking a special kind of blessings. Saw you on Behind the Scenes!
Yes, a spare is a positive thing for sure. Thank you for adding that!