“Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. And then it’s amazing again. And in between the amazing and the awful it’s ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it’s breathtakingly beautiful.”—LR Knost
The summer months came with unexpected change; with the next hard thing. I found myself hanging in the balance between here and there; living in liminal space; wondering what was next for me. Where would God lead me next? Would I find myself through the awful back into the beauty and the amazing?
Thats the thing about life. You are shown the amazing and the awful. But in between that you are given this beautiful life hand sown by our beloved God. God has this way of taking the broken and making them whole again. I’m reminded again and again of these words from Gungor’s song Beautiful Things: “God makes beautiful things out of dust; out of us.”
A few weeks ago, at a synod gathering, our synod bishop preached an awesome sermon. Paraphrased words from that sermon that are still echoing in my ear are these: “There must first be breaking before it becomes whole again.” There was a time I felt completely broken and would never be whole again. I had to be broken to be pieced back together again. And it was during those times that I realized the power of “Jagged Grace.” A grace that continually shapes us and changes us. It’s a grace that overcomes life’s obstacles.
Throughout this month, we will hear stories of “jagged grace”; of living in liminal space, of becoming whole again, and of reaching summits that are only possible because of “Jagged Grace.” It is jagged grace that reminds me; reminds all of us that we are never alone. It is a grace that taught me to surrender and fall freely into God’s trusting arms.
This is so good! I am looking forward to following you this month. I love your term, Jagged Grace. Blessings.
Thanks Melanie!
Oh I love this so much! (And I hate it… because, you know… the awful!) This reminds me when the Lord pointed out to me that sometimes a bone needs to be re-broken in order for it to be set right to heal completely. So often we think we are healing but He knows so much better how to break us and reset us aright!
xoxo
I have a love-hate relationship with it too! (And I think you just gave me an idea for today’s post!) Ooh I like the analogy to the bone breaking in order for it to be healed too. God indeed knows when we need a reset. xoxo
I love your title “Jagged Grace” and we are definitely thinking on the same lines, both referring to “Beautiful Things” in our posts today! Look forward to reading more of your series.
YES!!!
Beautiful Phrase, Jagged Grace
Thanks! A friend came up with the series title!
Looking forward to reading
Thank You!
Yes, broken and put back together… Looking forward to this journey.
Thanks Annie!
This friend: God has this way of taking the broken and making them whole again.
After almost of year of horrible, I believe we’ve found a different whole. Broken, cracked, painstakingly put back together again. The same and changed at the same time. Stronger for having been there, but still a little more fragile.
Yes indeed…stronger but still a little more fragile!
This is a great topic choice for 31 Days, I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Thank You!!
Simply perfect my dear!
Thank You! xoxo
I look forward to reading your series, Tara!
Thank You!
Thanks for visiting my page, fellow single! 🙂 Your topic intrigues me. Hope to come back and read more in the coming month!
Thanks Michelle!
Hi, Tara, I love this so much! Liminal space is such a challenging topic, isn’t it? Jagged grace is the perfect way to describe that crossing from one thing to another.
It truly is. Thank You friend!
Jagged grace is a perfect title. Our lives can get messy, but God lavishes us with grace and it helps to smooth those jagged places. So glad you are writing about this.
Blessings to you! xo
Thanks Gayl! A friend came up with the title idea. I love it too. Our lives can indeed get messy. I am so thankful for grace even if its jagged sometimes. Blessings to you too. xoxo
May I subscribe to this series by email please?
gemmill.mary@gmail.com
Done!!!