Many days, my television is often turned to HGTV. I love watching shows like House Hunters, Fixer Upper and so many others. When I watch Fixer Upper, I am aware of the many obstacles Chip and Joanna find themselves in when they are remodeling a home. One must first tear down and break down walls in order to rebuild a new wall. There must first be a breaking down before there is a building up.
Oh how often is this true in our own lives. We would much rather not experience the pain of being broken down. But often times, like when a house is remodeled, the finished product looks even more beautiful than before.
Now I am not saying that we look more beautiful after we have been broken down. But what I am saying is that our brokenness tells the history and story of who and whose we are. I am a daughter of a woman who lives daily with a mental illness. I am a woman who is called to Word and Service ministry. I am a woman who struggled with systematic theology in seminary. I am a woman who loves words and writing. These each tell the story of who I am as a beloved child of God–the good and the bad.
Like a wall is built up nail by nail, we are built up by encouraging words, amazing people and numerous blessings. And through each of these acts, we are able to feel whole again; whole but just a little bit more fragile than we were before.
One of my favorite things about Fixer Upper and other shows like it is to watch as the old becomes new; as the broken becomes whole and as a family finds a new home suited just for them. In our brokenness, God still welcomes us to come to him; to trust that God will walk with us and will also make us whole again. God is a God who admires our brokenness and uses it to redeem us; to tell the story of God’s love for all the world. And it is because of God’s story of love for the world, that I know that my brokenness doesn’t ultimately define who I am, but rather glorifies a God of new life and resurrection.
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I also hate the process of being broken to be made new. Sometimes, I don’t recognize that process as God’s will and I find myself depressed about my life. I cling to the hope that the pain of being broken is creating in me a life even more beautiful than I ever dreamed. Thanks for sharing. I loved your analogy to Fixer Upper.
Thank You!
Excellent analogy!
Thanks “online” mom!
So good, my friend! This: “we are built up by encouraging words, amazing people and numerous blessings. And through each of these acts, we are able to feel whole again; whole but just a little bit more fragile than we were before.” SO MUCH AMEN!
Thank You! xoxo
Yes, the transformation in those kind of shows is amazing! It often looks like such a mess that it seems impossible that something beautiful could come from it but somehow it does. I think it’s the same as God works in our lives.
It truly is. I think you are right…it can seem like such a mess but God has a way of making us whole and beautiful.
Tara, that last line really spoke to me: “And it is because of God’s story of love for the world, that I know that my brokenness doesn’t ultimately define who I am, but rather glorifies a God of new life and resurrection.” Thank you for letting God speak through you today. 🙂
I am so glad. And you’re welcome!
Good words and so true!
🙂
I love how you wrote this Tara! When I am near a tv with HGTV I can hardly resist but I’ve not thought of how the demolition and rebuilding is like our walk with Jesus.
Thank You!