That’s What He Does

Shattered glass cast in all directions on a dusty barn floor. Jagged edges, sharp points, and cutting pieces lay there in silence, yet cry out; a haunting display of a once beautiful glass pitcher now broken. Rubble.

This was a scene I most vividly remember from the movie, Joshua, Jeff and I watched together a couple years ago. The storyline is about a mysterious man who arrives in a small town and helps the people rebuild their church. There is a woman in the story who is deeply broken and finds comfort in Joshua’s company. As the movie goes on it is increasingly apparent she needs more from him than friendship and kindness. At one point, in her desperation to grab hold of being desired and loved by him, she throws the glass pitcher shattering it to pieces, and then falls to the ground sobbing. Brokenness.

I know how broken feels. Tears poured down my face, unstoppable, during that scene in the movie. Brokenness in my own life resurfaced. Vivid images of the abuse I endured in a toxic marriage that lasted over two decades. I wanted to curl up on the couch. I didn’t want to revisit that place. Two years later I can still see the scene in that movie. I can still remember the emotions. But that’s not where the story ends. Hope.

Later on in the movie, the man finishes what he came to do and disappears. The woman unexpectedly finds the ‘pitcher’ in the barn. This time it isn’t in shattered pieces on the floor, nor is the pitcher as it was before. It is a beautiful recreation. A glass sculpture of sorts --something to stare at in awe and wonder. “How could it be that something so broken, something so reduced to rubble, could be made, not only new, but more beautiful?” Healing.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

I believe this is what God does for us. I know. He’s done it for me. He makes all things new. He restores us. He takes our brokenness and creates something more beautiful. Restoration

“He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:3

When Jeff saw my reaction to this scene in the movie, he was deeply moved. I had shared parts of my story with him, so he understood my emotional reaction. He knew of my brokenness. His poem, ‘Broken Can Still Be Beautiful’ followed. The words helped me breathe in God’s love once again. I know I am still in process of healing, and will be everyday of my life. But, there’s great comfort in knowing God is continually working at creating a more beautiful me. That’s what He does. He takes what is broken and makes it more beautiful. Love.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.” Jeremiah 31:3