He Understands Broken Things

It’s always good to talk to people who knew me a long time ago.  I listen to their stories of how much I influenced their lives and it humbles me and frightens me at the same time.  I am grateful that the influence was seen by them as a good thing because I know how truly messed up I was back in those early days.  I am grateful that in spite of my flaws the good parts came out in my interactions with others.  I attribute that to God’s Presence in my life long before I was aware of it.

Many events, circumstances, and people impacted my life in my growing up years.  Some of those impacts jolted me forward; some of them threw me backwards; some overcame me and left me down and out.  All of them followed me into my adult years and one after another had to be worked on and worked through to repair the damage done so that I could be healthy and whole.  I attribute that work to God’s Presence in my life as I walked through the shadows bringing them into the Light.

I used to curse the darkness of my past but as I worked through those things within me and met others along the way doing the same repair work, I began to see all those events, circumstances, and people are all part of the stuff that makes me who I am today. They all make up a compost pile, full of rotten things that make for good growth.  Rather than curse them I bless them and thank them for their lessons. 

I realized that even though those times, when my head was a mess, my heart had a certain purity about it.  I never wished harm on anyone other than myself.  Through those times when I hid in my inner corner ashamed and perplexed at myself, I was able to reach out and touch other people’s lives because I knew their pain and how to ease it.  I knew what they needed because I knew my needs deep within.  My brokenness gave me perspective to see beyond the faults because I knew first hand what was underneath those faults.  Again, I attribute that to God’s Presence working deep within me.

Jimmy Buffett says, “We’re all flawed individuals.  The cosmic baker took us fruitcakes out of the oven too soon.”  The Bible says, “We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  I appreciate the word ALL in both statements.  It ends my feeling of isolation and causes me to see that my personal story, while it is mine alone, is also a universal story, experienced and shared individually by others.  We all need to be redeemed, repaired, and restored to who God created us to be.  He sent His Son Jesus to earth to accomplish that mission of recovery.  He fully took on humanity and truly understands broken things and broken people.  As I work on my flaws of brokenness they become badges of honor to be exhibited and shared with a sense of thanksgiving and humility.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

And saves the crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

But the Lord delivers her out of them all.”

Psalm 34:18,19