If you’re feeling a little broken as the week begins …
We were at Laity Lodge in Texas one fall. It was a cool Sunday morning, along the jade-colored Frio River, and the morning light shone in just right on the communion table. The pastor was a friend, Gordon. I don’t remember the story he told, but I do recall the main idea of his message: our brokenness.
He talked about the powerlessness we’ve all felt when everything falls apart, when our own fragile lives look they’ve crashed into a million little clay pieces — utterly unfixable.
He knelt down in front of us, cupped his hands (as if to hold the broken pieces of our lives) and then lifted his hands and his eyes upward, like he could see through the ceiling to God. And I’ll never forget Gordon’s next words:
“I can’t fix this,” he said, cupping his hands toward God. “But can You? Can You do something with all these broken pieces?”
I was moved deep within me at the soft answer from the Spirit, at the sure answer from Scripture, at the certain answer from a holy and good God, and at the secured answer, in Jesus:
“Yes,” God answers us always… “Yes, I can.”
This, I think is one of the most wonderful parts about belonging to Jesus. Apart from Him, my brokenness stays broken — a million little pieces, utterly unfixable. A jar of clay, shattered.
But in Jesus, there is always, always hope. He is putting all things to rights, making a way where there is no way.
Maybe today, you are tending to broken places. Maybe you aren’t sure how you can step into the coming week, because things are shattered at your feet.
Lift the million little pieces to Jesus.
Your brokenness is not a flaw; it’s an invitation for the healing hand of Jesus.
All brokenness is but a chance to be healed by Jesus.
All brokenness is but a chance to cup the broken pieces in our hands, and lift them to a God who sees and whispers, “yes.”
yes. Thank you, Jennifer. XO
xo
“I can’t fix this……But can you?” Perfect. Thank you for relating this!
You’re welcome, Marilyn. Thanks for being here.
Thank you Jennifer. Wonderful memories of that day and that tender moment.
Feeling especially tender about those moments, especially in light of the latest news.
Beautiful! This is one of those powerful messages the Lord gives that you don’t forget. EVER!
It was a special moment. Unforgettable, even in its simplicity.
Excited about Wild in the Hollow — nearly finished with it, and can’t wait to pass it along to friends!
You might also consider Amber’s husband’s book, Coming Clean. It comes out in October. I got a sneak peek of that book, and it’s equally beautiful.
For the first part of this year I lived in a state of brokenness and pain. Time and again I heaved all that upon Jesus. Every time He was faithful to hold me, to minister to my heart. I’m on the back side of brokenness in this season, and I’m thankful for all He did to mend it. He is faithful!
I pray for you so often, Leah. I am grateful that you’re on the other side of brokenness.
Jennifer, you have no idea how humbled and grateful I am for your prayers. You bless me.
Cupping and lifting this morning. Thank you for this encouragement. <3
You are so welcome, Brenda. Thanks for being here with us today. Glad you were encouraged.
Beautiful reflection, at just the right time.
Thank you, Deidra. So many unforgettable moments that have shaped so many of us. Right along the Frio. Love you.
First, Jennifer I must tell you your book Love Idol was life-changing for me and it sits proudly on my book shelf as a trusted friend and one I will recommend again and again. Second, this post was beautiful. I loved this quote: Apart from Him, my brokenness stays broken — a million little pieces, utterly unfixable. A jar of clay, shattered. But in Jesus, there is always, always hope. Amen sister. Love your writing and your heart. xoxo
Holly, I am so glad you’ve come by. It means a great deal to me to hear from readers of Love Idol, and to know that my words touched a tender place in your heart. It’s always so fun to “meet” readers. It’s like I’m getting to finally see the faces of women I prayed for every day, for months, while writing Love Idol!
So glad you’ve dropped by today.
Such a powerful message, Jennifer. Thank you. Such incomprehensible love Jesus has for us to take our broken pieces into His healing hands!
What a beautiful, powerful message Jennifer. Thank you!
Your story brings to mind some beautiful artwork I’ve seen, created out of broken china. Mismatched pieces, artfully arranged together to form a new, admirable object. That’s what God does with us, when circumstances shatter the way things have been. He retools us for a new purpose. Thank you, Jennifer, for the reminder that “in Jesus, there is always, always hope. He is putting all things to rights, making a way where there is no way.” Such glorious encouragement!
You are always amazing, Jennifer. And always a blessing to everyone who enters these Jennifer portals. Thank you for these beautiful words. Such encouragement.
I love the illustration of the cupped hands. Jesus can take and use anything we will surrender up to Him, especially our broken pieces.