By Carole L. Haines
Broken things are more fragile sometimes when they are put back together, but God still has a place for us. This place may even be because of our fragile state of being. This is certainly true in my case. I always was fragile; I just didn’t know it yet. God had to teach me my fragility and invite me to embrace it, not deny it or run from it. He didn’t want me to pretend it wasn’t there. Being broken was necessary for my wholeness. My husband’s response to brokenness and what it has yielded brought tears to my eyes.
“But we are left with a story to tell that otherwise wouldn’t have been there.”
(Bruce Nevin Haines)
My husband is a songwriter and can say so much with so few words. He’s like Abraham Lincoln that way. Take the time to read the Gettysburg Address, if you can. President Lincoln used so few words but spoke volumes. Here’s a quote from it.
“But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.”
(Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address)
Wherever God dwells is hallowed ground. He makes His dwelling with us, His believers and followers, whenever we open that door.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
(Revelation 3:20)
This is what God is doing in our lives. He is writing a story that has the power to bless those who hear it and need hope in their brokenness. Moving from fear to love involves embracing our brokenness and allowing God to use it to bring glory to Himself and hope to others. In the process we are blessed with His healing and grace, His wholeness and freedom.
Even as the Precious Soldiers fought the Civil War for a cause far beyond themselves, God fights for us, He fights in us. He won’t ever quit or leave us. As Abraham Lincoln so graciously spoke, the last full measure is what these soldiers gave to keep our country whole. Jesus gave His last full measure to make us whole.
Be Blessed this day, Dear Believer.
Here is a link to my husband’s songs https://soundcloud.com/hisshadowings/tracks
hisshadowings.com 