From Broken to Beautiful

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)

Three days ago, I stuffed my Grandmother’s childhood dresser so full that when I pulled the second drawer open, it nearly crumbled to pieces. Thinking it was irreparable, my heart sank to the floor, along with the outpouring of socks, t-shirts and other random contents.

Justin, my sweet fiancé, entered the room Friday evening. He took one look at my dresser and said, “I can fix it.” He spent the entire morning on Saturday running errands to get wood glue, clamps, and whatever else one needs to fix a piece of antique wooden furniture.

Late last night, after bonding for nearly two full days, he brought the drawer to my room. It was as good as new. Perhaps even better. The replacement parts coupled with the strong adhesive breathed fresh new life into my old wooden friend.

So many times in life we simply break. A hurtful word from a well-meaning friend. An unkind gesture from a stranger. A day of giving with no receiving anywhere in sight. It can wear a body down. Yet...

There is always a friend that wishes to fix our broken spirit. To breathe life into our exhausted lungs. To replace, replenish and resource that which was once a whole heart, but somewhere along the way, was tragically shattered in two.

Justin’s gesture of lovingly fixing what I broke is a stark reminder that Jesus is humbly waiting for me to reach out. No matter the situation. No matter the time of day. No matter how deeply, sorely and completely I have messed things up. He wants to fix the situation. He wants to fix me. To make me stronger, better able to function than ever before, able to withstand the pressures and stresses of life. He wants to repair, replace and rejuvenate this weary old soul into something new, beautiful, functional, grateful and full of purpose.

Jesus wants to clean the dirty, tired, no longer usable contents from the remnants of my being and lovingly bond me together again. A new work, a fresh spirit and a stronger vessel to wisely hold the most precious contents my heart could conceive. Just like my treasured antique dresser, this old soul often needs cleansing of the old junk, adhesive to bring the walls back together and bonding time to heal, replenish and renew. From broken to beautiful, Jesus specializes in turning battles to blessings, if only we seek His gentle, loving and healing hand.

"…and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor." (Isaiah 61:3 NIV)

Prayer: Lord, thank you for binding my wounds and making me new. You specialize in turning ashes to beauty and you have proven this many times in my life. Please remind me to turn to you for strength, guidance and comfort. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

© Copyright 2021 Manndi DeBoef, used with permission.