365 Project Day 206: Bits of Broken

Canon 5D Mark ll, 100 macro 2.8, 5.0 aperture, 1/80 shutter, 100 ISO. Alien B800 at 1/16 power using a 10 degree grid under glass under the rocks. Another Alien B800 to camera right with a 20 degree grid at 1/8 power.

I found these lovely pieces of sea glass in the back of the junk drawer this week, while frantically searching for a flat head screwdriver. Everything slowed as I rolled them around in my hand, remembering. I could almost hear the sound of the ocean and the waves as they thundered on the shore. My children were searching for treasure. Colorful pieces of glass, smoothed out by the salt and sand, the rhythmic tumbling of water on earth. They clinked together as I piled them on the counter, looking for every last one. I wanted to hold this memory of my children, the beach, family, the excitement of searching for and finding treasure. Now they huddled in the back of the junk drawer, their tender seemingly no longer valuable. But I know. They are priceless, these bits of broken, their hidden colors once again shining in the light of day.

I try to hide my brokenness too.  I see these fragments and I see myself, all strewn out, the edges not quite meeting as I feel they should. I want to hide them and forget them too, but I cannot. ” I am broken”, I confess to God as I move them around in front of me. “Yes”, I hear Him softly confirm, “yes, I know.” Of course He knows. He is God. He knew I was broken when He sent His son to save us. He knew then. He knows now. He has provided a way to make me whole again. Not just to put the pieces together again, but to create a whole new way. He is not put off by my brokenness. I think He also gently rolls the treasured pieces in His hand. They are the fragments of me that He came to find, to save and to restore. Priceless pieces of me, gathered for redemption.

Treasure.

Psalm 106: 47 ~ “Save us, LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.”

Psalm 30:2 ~”LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.”