Broken

 

Tough as Nails, Built to Last,  Practically Perfect in Every Way. These slogans and thoughts seem to sum up what we strive for and yet they would deprive us of what we need most.

I think we underestimate the power and sanctity of being broken. Something that is whole and perfect does not need the touch of a Master. It holds its form and performs its function just fine, thank you very much. I mean really who wants a broken pitcher? No one, it will not hold water. That was what it was created for, right?

And yet, what if that pitcher needs to spend some more time in the Creator’s hands? What if that pitcher needs to be held more, talked to more, adjusted, glued and repainted? What if those cracks and pieces are essential for that pitcher, not to hold water, but to sit on a shelf and hold the last flowers a mother picked from her garden and are now dried and remembered daily by her child? What if instead of holding water, that pitcher is the unexpected safe place for the family’s meager savings? That brokenness didn’t change that the pitcher is needed and serves a purpose.

In Japan, they have Kintsugi. It is a tradition of taking a broken piece, maybe a teacup, and gluing it back together using gold, silver or platinum dusted epoxy. The idea being that there is beauty in things that are imperfect, that things should not be wasted, and that we need to accept change. Those are some pretty powerful and beautiful ideas.

The pharisees in ancient times were, in their minds, pretty darn close to perfect. They knew the law, they kept the law, unlike the dirty and flawed beings around them. Yet the Master came to the “flawed”  ones and they became more beautiful, worked into something new. Not wasted. Changed.

I no longer fear being broken, I fear not realizing when I am broken and needing to spend more time with my Creator, the Master Healer. I don’t want to be a wasted work. I am His creation. I am broken. I am able to be fixed by Him. My brokenness does not make me useless or worthless. On the contrary, I may be more valuable, more pleasing to the eye if I allow more time in the Master’s hands. 

Will We Betray Him?

 

Recently we heard a message at church called “Love Your Enemies” by Dallin H. Oaks https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/17oaks?lang=eng. Which has been rattling around in my mind for several weeks.

It is a great reminder during this very unsure time here in the United States as an election is looming. And I use the word looming, because many are feeling a sense of foreboding and dread, some are feeling a sense of optimism, and some seem to not care but are waiting for a fight. A fight to defend who was elected. A fight against who wasn’t elected.

I’ve heard people comment about this talk and say, “I hope they were listening.” Referring to “they” meaning those who don’t agree with them politically, or the “they” who may start fighting, rioting and looting, or the “they” who the person considers to be wrong.

In pondering all of this, I can’t help but think of the time as Jesus was preparing to leave His mortal life, His friends, His family, to atone for all of our sins. As He was sitting with His friends providing them a reminder of Him through the teaching and giving of the bread and wine, He said, “Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.” And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?” Mark 14:18-19.

I have friends on both sides of the political spectrum who have, I believe, sincerely prayed about who to vote for and received, what I believe, very different answers.  What if this is because the answer isn’t based on the outcome of an election? God knows the outcome of the election already. He knows what is going to happen. His plan is sure and in place.

What if we need to be asking the question His disciples did at the last supper?

“Is it me?”

Will I betray the God I love and try to serve by being mean, hateful and vicious to those I disagree with? Will I call others uninformed, unenlightened, uneducated, stupid or idiots because they didn’t agree with my political views? Will I carry a grudge in my heart? Will I be constantly angry? Will I be unforgiving? Will I be pointing the finger of blame of our country’s ills at a differing political party? Will I forget the commandment to “love others as I have loved you”?

I don’t think the outcome of this election is the biggest problem in our country, I think the way we handle it may be.

In just one week’s time I heard of theft, vandalism and intimidation happening to friends, coming from both political parties. Do we really think one side is the ‘bad guy’ or can we try to see that any of us could become the “Judas” of the situation?

Maybe the biggest question we can be asking ourselves right now is not, “Who will I vote for? Or “Who did my neighbor vote for?” But “How will I love and treat those who vastly disagree with me?”

Will I still strive to see others the way Jesus would and treat them the way Jesus would?

Am I suggesting that there isn’t right and wrong? Absolutely not! And I believe we need to voice that. I am suggesting that maybe we need to listen a whole lot more. And dig a whole lot more to get to an understanding. There may be things that we and our “political opponents” disagree on, but that doesn’t mean we need to become enemies. I have a friend who is constantly posting his political views. I have been amazed to listen to the banter of his friends who totally disagree with him and at times it gets heated. And yet, the friendship and admiration of each other has not diminished. Why? Maybe because the idea of intelligent debate is a notable and attractive quality. Maybe because even if they agree to disagree, they still care enough about one another to recognize that the relationship is more important than the debate.

We may or may not like the outcome of the election. We need to be considering how our actions afterward reflect on the beliefs we have. Will we betray the God we love, like Judas? Will we maybe stumble a bit like Peter, and discover we don’t want to betray Him?

Can we trust God that He will get us through the outcome of this, just like He does with everything else? If we can trust Him, then let us not betray Him.

Coronavirus Prayer

As schools are now being shut down to try to lessen the spread of the coronavirus, parents are worried. As other schools are choosing not to close, teachers and parents are worried. Because of these worries, my prayers have changed.

Right now, I pray for the kids. The kids ages 5+ who are left home alone because their parent(s) don’t have the resources for daycare. The kids who may not have heat left on at home because mom can’t afford it and food too. The kids who won’t get the meals the school usually provides during those times. The kids who won’t get interaction from anyone other than the t.v. or computer, or possibly anyone at all depending on the financial circumstances of their family. I pray for the kids who are older and will suddenly have hours of unsupervised time and find temptations galore. I pray for the kids who are home alone, that they will choose to be helpful and get things done and take some of the burden off their parents.

My prayers are for the parents who are now stressing about leaving their kids home by themselves because their job is crucial. I pray for the parents who have to stay home with sick kids and are stressed about the money they will miss from not being able to work. For the parents who work really long hours or two jobs to provide and don’t get home till late, I pray they will remember to bring food home for their kids and that they will still have enough energy to give a little love and comfort. I pray for the parents of kids who are left at daycare, because there is no choice, that they will be taken care of and that they won’t get sick.

I pray for the families who have members that are already immuno-compromised and this is making them worry more.

I pray for the teachers whose schools are still going, that they will stay strong and healthy and continue to provide a healthy mind set for their students. I pray they will be extra aware of anyone who may be sick and need to go home. I pray that their worries may be lightened.

I pray that we will all be a bit kinder and more thoughtful to each other. I pray that if we see someone filling a car with toilet paper, maybe we will consider that they are buying it for their whole neighborhood. I pray that those who are hoarding it, will have their hearts softened and help care for those who have none. I pray that we will make a visit to the house of an elderly person we haven’t seen for a few days, to check on them and their needs. In cold areas, I pray that we will see if the elderly, the sick, those with babies, have adequate heat.

I pray that we will rise above our selfish tendencies and look out for each other. I pray that we will see, afresh, how much we need each other. I pray that each day I will be aware of who needs my help. Maybe my house-bound neighbor needs a fresh batch of library books, the elderly guy across the street needs some cans of soup or another box of Kleenex. Maybe the puzzles spilling from my closet can be shared with the kids down the street who are stir crazy. Maybe the friend I haven’t talked to in a long time just needs to hear from another adult before she goes nuts. There are so many ways we can reach out and take care of each other. While we are kicking this virus to the street, let’s do the same with our selfishness.

I pray that we will find humor in this, that we will remember to laugh. It is awesome medicine and unlike a virus, it is best when we share it with others.

Finally, I pray that we will be able to see the goodness in others as they answer the prayers only God can hear.

#Coronavirus #Prayer #HelpEachOther