Deven is so hard to surprise! He seems to always figure out things before they are revealed. For instance, it never fails that he realizes the end of movies before the end. Anyway, he was surprised, and I managed not to let the cat out of the bag before Christmas.
When we opened the box, we found that the main support bar was broken in the middle. We thought that it must have been damaged during shipping. Yes, it looked as if we had purchased “damaged goods.”
We hauled the big, opened box back to the store and exchanged it for another. When we got back home, we opened the box and guess what? The new hammock was broken too! Or not? We began to realize that the bend in the middle was designed that way. Hello! Instructions?
What is the moral of the story? Maybe some things that seem to be broken are really part of an original, intentional design. As you can see from the picture, the hammock was in perfect condition, was exactly as it should be with the bent bar, and was assembled with ease!
It is true that sometimes life’s events, tragedies, challenges, relationships and our perceptions give way to the reality of brokenness in our lives. If we respond to these happenings properly, it is in our brokenness and humility that God molds and positions us for greater function in His kingdom. Not to mention the closeness we experience with the Father.
Much like Jacob, we can wrestle with God and wind up having a limp, marking us for greatness. And we are changed so much that we become more like Christ. In addition, we must not forget that Jacob’s name was changed because of the change that was taking place through brokenness.
So, if we are scarred, bent or seemingly broken somehow by life’s challenges, or even walk with a limp as Jacob did, let’s rejoice in that we are better. We are destined for greatness in Him! Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer because I have overcome the world.” YES!
The stories behind our battle scars are precious and make us into the beautiful children of God that we are! In our brokenness, we are fashioned into handy tools that fit perfectly into the hand of God. Others may see the glory of God in our lives, yet don’t realize that there are stories of brokenness that have prepared the way. What are your stories? If you have one that glorifies God and want to share it, please comment.
In no way are we “damaged goods” because of the scars of life, but uniquely designed for a special purpose and a special position in God’s Kingdom.
No matter what battles we have won, whether they are battle scars from sin, or from involuntary traumatic events, we are changed through the humility of being broken before God! Remember that if we don’t fall on the rock voluntarily, it can crush us.
Luke 20:18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”
In conclusion…remember the hammock story!
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