How To Be Broken and Restored

Jesus, are you coming back anytime soon? It’s been a really rough seven days. My heart’s been broken on so many levels; I feel wounded. Stories of death, cruelty, lost souls, suicide, abuse, sickness…on the home front, in the church, throughout our community and on national and international stages.

What’s crashing down on us this week is what led you to the cross.  You alone are my hope. It’s in you I place my trust.

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“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

The sun came up this morning which means your mercies are new yet again. This is the day you have made just for us so I will look to rejoice in it and be glad for one more breath in my lungs, one more chance to share the gospel, and one more opportunity to love on my family. Thank you for that.

Lord, why are you so good to me? You provide signs to remind me of your unfailing love and faithfulness day after day!

How many divine reassurances have I missed looking downward and inward at the Lower Story here on earth instead of upward and outward at the Upper Story from your heavenly perspective?

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Isn’t she a beauty?

This tiny little bird just crashed into my window as I am writing this. Tenderly picking her up to examine her, I keep her safe in the palm of my hand until she stands on her own, stretches her wings once again, and flies away.

Lord, thank you for this lesson, for helping me see “Jesus in Everything”. You handle me tenderly when I am numb, cover and protect me from evil when I am weak, and allow me to fly once again, too, even after I’ve been completely broken-hearted. You restore my soul. 

The LORD is my shepherd,
            I shall not want.

      He makes me lie down in green pastures;
            He leads me beside quiet waters.

      He restores my soul;
            He guides me in the paths of righteousness
            For His name’s sake.

      Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
            I fear no evil, for You are with me;
            Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

      You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
            You have anointed my head with oil;
            My cup overflows.

      Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
            And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23 (NASB)