Scrapbook #19: Beautiful Cracks

“The image of my life as a broken pitcher was beautiful to me, but at the same time, it was hard to look at all of the cracks. I ran my fingers along them and told Him I wish it had been different. How I wished I had always loved Him, always obeyed Him, always sought Him the way I should. I was mad at the imperfections, years wasted, gaping holes where it should be smooth. But God, my ever-gracious God, was gentle and yet convicting as He explained.

My dearest Angie. How do you think the world has seen me? If it wasn’t for the cracks, I couldn’t seep out the way I do. I chose the pitcher. I chose you, just as you are.”

– Angie Smith [Mended]

1. We live in a world that teaches us to hide our imperfections. Because the only way to be loved and accepted is to be perfect.

2. What a brutal, destructive lie.

3. We carry it from the world and bring it into our faith.

4. Like Adam and Eve all over again, we hide from God. And we unwittingly shame those around us into hiding from Him too.

5. God’s love for us was never based on our perfection. While we were yet sinners, He died for us. So how then, can our imperfections disqualify us from that Love? When from the very beginning that Love acknowledged ALL the ways we fall short and chose to love us into perfection.

6. I love how the Message puts 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 …

At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me: “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

7. The story never ends with my weakness. It always ends with His strength.

8. And isn’t it a wonder? How His strength takes me where my own never could.

9. The cracks. Where His divinity crashes into my humanity and miracles unfold.

10. Like a child looking up to her Father who towers over her as He holds her hand, I am at home in my smallness and His bigness.