False Treasures

Not too long ago, our second son and his older brother were outside playing in the cooler evening night and came running into the house full of excitement and joy.  They had discovered priceless jewels that had been carelessly left in the middle of our street!  Who on earth would leave behind such precious jewels?  They were convinced that we were rich!  Upon further inspection, I discovered it was very brightly colored broken pieces of glass- thankfully, it was some sort of safety glass as there were not sharp edges to fear cuts.  I sadly gave them the news that it was not the treasure they had envisioned, but rather discarded garbage in a pretty package.  Disappointed, the older son discarded his treasure and went on playing.

Carson, our second son continued to cling to the bright, green pieces.... it was his treasure and he couldn't understand.  He kept those pieces and put them in his money jar which is a recycled spaghetti sauce jar.  Later, I questioned why he had kept those pieces of glass.  He expressed that it was better to hang on to the "trash jewels" than to not have anything in his money jar.  Even if it was fake treasure, it made his value seem great.

Last night, Carson's money jar spilled and I helped him pick up the pieces.  I carefully picked up each of the green glass pieces and put them back in his jar.... heartbroken as God spoke to my heart- How many times have I clung to false treasures because I just wanted something even if it wasn't real and true?  Oh Lord, forgive me!  We are so easily fooled by outside packages- shiny, attractive, and appealing.  Yet, most of the time those treasures are false- they do not last!  How many times have I kept something false- knowing it wasn't genuine- because I would rather cling to that than have nothing at all?  Oh, forgive me Father!

The only way to know what is real and of value is through wisdom learned in the scriptures with the Holy Spirit giving us discernment.  God, I want that wisdom to know and understand what is of true value for me, for my family.  Help me to seek after that knowledge each day so that I may be fully equipped for the moments that still lie at my feet.  Then, Father, give me the words to express and teach my children so that they, too, can discern what is real and true from what is false and temporary in this world.  Only by your grace can this be done and in your strength can I stand strong!  Help me Father to not cling to the broken glass of the evil one, but seek after real treasure that comes only from you!

" The LORD says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you."  Psalm 32:8 NLT

" If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."  James 1:5 NIV

"We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.  And we are in him who is true-even in his Son Jesus Christ.  He is the true God and eternal life."  1John 5:20 NIV

Beauty in Brokenness

As a parent, I am not unfamiliar with the cries of loss as a toy is broken in our home.  Upset, disappointed, and frustrated faces often look to me with the request of fixing the broken in our home- their hope being that I could restore an item to usefulness.  I can identify with them to a certain extent- as often items of mine are broken and damaged in our home.  Can you relate?  Have you had something special to you be broken or damaged? 

It hit me this morning that I think, at times, the true value of something is best seen in its brokenness- only when an item has been lost do we truly recognize the value it had in our lives.  It is true with people too, huh?  Only when we see loved ones fading or passing do we fully recognize what influence they have had on us.  What about the living broken?  Those of us that are broken by life and, yet, try to continue on despite being less than whole?  Perhaps broken by our own sinful decisions, the hurts of others, unforgiveness, physical limitations, or deep sorrow.  You can find these living broken people anywhere- in your job, in your church, in your home.... they are hurting people in search of wholeness.

Thankfully, we have a God who loves making things whole- He takes our brokenness and gives us a restored purpose through His complete healing.  Corrie ten Boom once said, "There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still."  Glory!  He will go the depths to reach His precious children in order to heal and restore them to His purpose for their life.  It was for His children's healing and restoration that God had Christ die on the cross for us- He loves us that much- not to just forgive you of failures, but to heal you and restore you to wholeness and usefulness. 

Scripture says, "He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.  By his wounds you are healed."  1 Peter 2:24

Healed- not patched- totally healed, whole again, for His purpose in your life.  Scars may remain in our lives and consequences of some of our mistakes may still remain, but our soul is completely whole and healed.  We can then deal with life, our scars, and our consequences far beyond ourselves because we are well spiritually and able to draw on God's strength and power. I think God's healed broken are the strongest vessels He can use because they truly know the depths of His love.

Take heart, my friend, if you are hurting and broken, you are but one breath away from wholeness- just call upon the Savior!  If you are hurting over the brokenness of a loved one- do not give up!  God is fully capable and continue praying on their behalf.  If you are a once broken now healed child of the King- rejoice today!  Do not forget the pit He pulled you from, but rejoice in His healing and restored purpose in your life- praise Him for the beauty in the brokenness!