Dear Broken One,…
Did you think I was writing a letter to you? Oh, but I am.
Simple Scenario: This past weekend my “Simple Blessings” bracelet (by Silpada), that I haven’t taken off my wrist in three years, finally broke. Over the past few months I had noticed how the cord that is attached to the silver cross was just hanging by a thread. I’d keep an eye on it, and say to myself, “It’s still hanging on.” Well, last Thursday evening I went to turn a light off, as I was walking out of the door, and I felt a slight jolt. I gasped, looked down at my left wrist, and felt sadness. Yes, I felt brokenhearted knowing that this simple symbol of love and faith was now broken. The good news is that I can return my bracelet back to the company and they will repair it for FREE.
You see, this bracelet became more than a petite ornament that I wore around my wrist. I NEVER took it off. For three solid years this humble bracelet adorned my wrist come fancy or casual attire, shower or bath, beach or pool, getting dirty outside or cleaning up around the house (you get the point). I’d give it to young ladies graduating from high school as a symbol to wear while they were away at college to simply be reminded of God’s love for them and that He is always there with and for them. I give it to my dear friends as a token of my love for them and Jesus. It became a testimony for me at times. And today is no different.
After numerous conversations I had with folks recently I am reminded that we are all BROKEN. A mother with mental illness, the loss of a loved one, one’s spouse committing an affair, not having a job at the moment, a parent in the last stages of their life, sexual sin, a wayward child, and these instances just scratch the surface. You may be able to add your own “brokenness” to the list. (You’d think I was a counselor the way that list read, and that was only over the past four days. But, no, I’m just a good listener and prayer warrior.
No matter how immense or trivial your brokenness is, it is all the same to God, and He can and will heal you. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18
You may have times in your life where you are like my bracelet was… “Hanging by a thread”. When you feel that way, grab hold of God. Cry out to Him. He’s got you! “The only temptations that you have are the same temptations that all people have. But you can trust God. He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation. Then you will be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Just like my bracelet has turned into a devotional for me, your “broken” life can be a testimony that brings glory to God. “I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words. I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just.” Psalm 71:15-16
Just like I shared my Simple Blessings bracelet with others as a token of my love for them and Jesus and a reminder of God’s love, you can and should share your love for God with those around you. “Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:2-5
Just like I felt sadness when my bracelet finally broke, you should feel sadness over your broken heart/spirit. Just cry out to Jesus. “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.” Psalm 34:17-20
But….take hold of the hope and assurance that all things can be made new. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
My friend, God wants you broken and all! He wants you to be real and humble yourself to Him. Obey God and everything will be okay (beautiful) in the end.
“The sacrifice that God wants is a humble spirit. God, you will not turn away someone who comes with a humble heart and is willing to obey you.” Psalm 51:17
I saw this saying the other day that reads, “Only God can turn mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victory.” Amen!
I pray many blessings and much JOY for you! Have a wonderful day. – Stephanie
Here are two websites for you to check out regarding brokenness:
http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-brokenness.html
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Brokenness