Life is a journey full of unexpected twists and turns that can sometimes feel exciting but other times miserable and lonely. I have been on both sides of the spectrum. My faith has given me strength to not only keep going but find beauty in brokenness.
In Japan, broken objects are often repaired with a lacquer that is mixed with gold, silver or platinum. The “flaw” is seen as a unique piece of the object’s history, which adds to “it’s beauty.”
In 2017, I was so broken and miserable. I felt like my job didn’t appreciate me and I was ready to quit. I was juggling my father suffering with Alzheimer’s & COPD, worrying about my mom possibly having a Lupus flare due to the stress of my father’s health and grieving over the loss of her mother. Also, the health of my 90 year-old grandfather declining was a concern after my grandmother passed. I was trying to balance a crazy work load, my parents and grandfather while grieving the loss of my grandmother.
In my mind, I believed I had to be “strong” for my family and carry their burden but no one asked me to. I took it upon myself to carry the load and my health began to suffer. I couldn’t sleep, I was constantly grinding my teeth and dealing with anxiety because I didn’t allow God to carry the burden. The Lord knows what my family and I need better than I do.
I felt like a car running on fumes that eventually would need to be pushed. I was running on empty because I never allowed God to fill me up. I was trying to get “gas” from my peers which simply left me disappointed and helpless. The moment I stopped trying to be in control and prayed for direction and guidance; things began to turn around.
While our friends and family, care about our well-being; they are fighting their own personal battles. Putting all our trust and expectations in them, will leave you disappointed and bitter. Each relationship and friendship has some type of limitations on it.
No one is perfect but God! HE is a LIMITLESS God who will never leave you nor forsake you.
Happiness is a choice! I woke up one morning and said Lord, I’m not going to worry about anything! You’re my resource and I’m laying all my burdens down! I began to speak life over myself. I continuously reminded myself that no weapon formed against me shall prosper.
Even in moments of weakness, I was determined to think myself happy because as it states in Deuteronomy 31:6-8, “For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” When I allowed God to be in control, HE blessed me with a new job and my health issues disappeared.
God will give you a peace that surpasses all understanding to keep going in spite of the hell that you’re going through but you MUST completely trust God! The peace you need can only be found in Jesus! You may be in a low place but know that God hears you and HE’s working on your behalf!
Life’s events sometimes create scratched elbows and even bruised egos but our flaws make us the original carbon copy. It is my prayer that you will allow God to take your broken pieces and restore you with his protective coating of love, peace, grace, mercy and goodness. The beauty of our once broken items (brokenness) are a testament to our story!
Always remember, there is potential in your broken pieces that can be restored and re-purposed. God will use your pain as a powerful ministry to share with the world…. “For All I Trust HIM.”
Well written piece. A good reminder for us to let go and let God. The struggle is too much for us sometimes. Thanks.
Thank you so much!
I love the call to surrender our brokenness, fears and disappointments to God! Over the years I’ve experienced His power to move on my behalf for my good.
It’s only through the surrender of our brokenness that He can teach us how to repurpose and transcend what appears to be useless or false.
May the Lord continue to use your voice and ministry to open pathways of healing for us all!
Be well, Be Blessed
Thank you so much Donetia!
This is beautiful Patrice! Thank you for being so open and will to share your testimony. I have a friend I’ve been ministering to whose mother has Lupus and I’m sure this will be useful.
God Bless
Thank you so much for the kind words. Yes, please share with your friend. I also would love to speak with her. Thank you!
Thank you. This was a much needed reminder. I pray God continues to bless you so that you can share your stories and teachings to us through your work.
Thank you so much. I appreciate the encouraging words.
Needed this! My grandma has dementia and I’m a single mom in a MSW program! It’s hard and how dare i add trying to date! I constantly doubt myself and the load of everything gets heavy at times!
You’re juggling a huge load but God will continue to hold you up. Praying for your continuous strength. Please, make sure you take time for yourself. Self Care is so important or you will burnout… I know from experience. Praying for you, sis!
Amen!
Great post!
It’s hard to “let it go and let God” but when we finally have faith to do so, God moves so wonderfully in our lives!
Amen! Thank you for reading, Shannon!
Thnks for another well written post Patrice. So many people (myself included) hide out stories/brokenness for fear of how others will view us. But I love the second to last paragraph and especially the last sentence “The beauty of our once broken items (brokenness) are a testament to our story!” I gotta begin sharing. There is freedom in sharing and God gets the glory when we overcome anyway. Thanks again for this post.
Yes, share your story! There is freedom (healing) for you and the person who is receiving your testimony. It’s a ministry! Thank you for your kind and encouraging words, Jessica!