Broken...

We had a lovely afternoon tea.Sweet treats.  Good china.  Great conversation.Then the crash.An antique china saucer—one from my mother-in-law.Broken.  Discarded.But no.My husband is amazing at fixing things.  A little superglue, some clamps and time.Rescued.  Repaired.   Redeemed.  Recovered.But people—and relationships—aren’t so easy to fix.We break.We hurt each other, even those we love.Tears, anger, despair.  No hope.We think we are beyond repair—to be discarded.But no.God is amazing at fixing things:  People.  Relationships.  You.  Me.A little love, some squeezing tight and time.Listen to what he says:I have swept away your sins like a cloud and your sins like the morning mist.  Return to me, for I have redeemed you.  (Isaiah 44:22)Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing.  I formed you for myself, that you may proclaim my praise.  (Isaiah 43:18,19)I have called you.  I have chosen you and have not rejected you.  I will strengthen you and help you.  (Isaiah 41:9-10)I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.  I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees.  (Ezekiel 36:26-27)You will be called holy, redeemed, sought after, like a city no longer deserted. (Isaiah 62:12)I will guide you and satisfy your needs.  You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls and Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.  (Isaiah 58:11,12)And the promise I cling to:I am the Lord.  In its time I will do this swiftly.  (Isaiah 60:22) What about you?  Is there something broken that the Lord must make new?C2012 Judy Douglass