Brokenness
The flower was beautiful, but the stem was broken. It hung over the edge of the vase. The candy cane now in several parts was in the candy dish several months past it prime. The cracked glass that had fallen was now in fragments. It’s all good since flowers only last a few days after they are cut, candy gets stale after time, and vases are replaceable.
Years ago I had a friend who made jewelry from pieces of silver and metal chips. She was a science teacher. I think this was a hobby that came about in one of her labs. Her signature pieces were beautiful crosses. The metals were melted to show the brokenness in our lives; yet as people we are more beautiful, empathetic, and loving because we survive. We are not the same, but softer in spirit.
Some things in life are not repairable and it is important that we recognize these. At the same time, we must not let these circumstances injure us permanently and keep us from functioning or enjoying our lives. Broken families, those in poverty, the loss of a limb, or the death of a loved one conjure up in my mind as “brokenness”.
How we choose to deal with issues can help us live fully. Labeling each situation is a way to help us dismiss situations from taking us over. The part we play in each story is important too. We can’t bring back a loved family member. We can however, recognize their contributions to us and to our communities. We can memorialize them and teach others about their attributes. We can try to find cures for the disease that contributed to their death. Maybe we can find cures or medications for the next generation.
It may help us to become more prayerful. Or push us to take steps with those in charge to get that stop sign in at the intersection where your loved one died. Sometimes it makes us recognize our blessings more, when we are aware of how other people are suffering.
People all have problems; some carry them better or have help. Here is where I suggest that asking for help is indeed wisdom, not weakness. Share with others who can help. Or reach out if you can help another person.
Blessings for the day and “Delight in Living”