“I do it myself, Mommy!” my three-year-old little guy says to me, determined that he can do anything on his own. Today’s particular incident, he attempted to carry a large box of toys down a flight of stairs “all by himself.” After several moments of grunting and straining to accomplish his mission…
THUMP…THUD… BANG… CRASH… followed by cries of pain, disappointment, and frustration.
Immediately I ran to him, and found my little man, his empty box, and many scattered toys lying at the bottom of the stairs. I picked him up and looked him over, searching for any sign of injury. He dusted himself off emphatically, surveyed the mess he knew he had caused, and then looked up at me with tear-filled eyes and a quivering lip…
“I need your help, Mommy. I can’t do it by myself. I make a mess.”
He is his mother’s son. I am known for my determination, whether good or bad. I have been a stubborn and strong-willed independent being for my entire life, only asking for help after I have made a mess of things. Just as my son was only willing to allow assistance after his colossal crash at the bottom, so many times I have refused to look UP until I found myself at my lowest point.
Hitting rock bottom means there’s nowhere else to turn but Up.
In my darkest hour, the absolute loneliest point of my entire existence, I was forced to look to the One Who could clean up the mess I had made of my life. So sure I had all the answers as a teenage girl, I had made choices that would forever change the direction of my future – married far too young for my own good and certainly not ready to raise the child who arrived just over a year later. I painted a nice picture of heartache and strife for myself, instead of the glorious life of which I dreamed.
When I found myself alone as a single mother, His was the Hand that reached out to me. His was the strength that guided me through. His was the voice that said…
“Are you hurt? Let me help you. Let’s clean this up.”
Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.” And heal me He did. Over several years, He miraculously healed our marriage and our family, so much greater than we could have ever dreamed. Not only was our marriage restored, but so many of our burned bridges have been rebuilt over time as well. We have had front row seats to God’s powerful forgiveness and love – toward us, in us, and through us.
What once was broken is now a thing of beauty.
Though still flawed and imperfect, we are the work of the Potter’s hands. Still marked by the cracks and errors of our past, He has chosen to use us anyway. For His Glory.
No related posts.
I am living proof of how the Lord can take a broken life and turn it into something beautiful. Although I am still very far from perfection, I am still a work of His art. My heart's prayer is that "Brokenness into Beauty" will be a source of inspiration and encouragement to all! There is hope, and there is healing on the horizon.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
What an incredible example of so many of us as found through your toddler! Enjoyed reading this!
@Misty, Thanks, Misty. He is definitely a good example of his mother’s poor attempt to “do it myself!”