Shards of Glass

When it feels like all your hopes and dreams are nothing more than pieces of shattered glass lying at your feet, know this: God will make something beautiful out of your brokenness. Each tiny fragment of your life has a glorious Purpose in the Father’s Hands, and when placed together as only He knows how, a masterpiece is created.

Just as a stained glass window is made up of hundreds of small pieces of glass held together by strips of lead, God’s Love is the glue that repairs every broken piece of your heart. His Faithful Mercy is the cement that binds up your wounds. And just as the sun shines through the window to make the beautiful display visible, it is God’s Light shining through you and illuminating your life that makes you the work of art He created you to be.

When it feels like your world is falling apart, remember that God is the Ultimate Healer. He promises to love you with an Everlasting Love and to rebuild your brokenness (Jeremiah 31:4). He will restore the wounded fragments of your life and fit each piece together to create something even more beautiful than you could imagine. So if you  feel as though your hopes and dreams are lying in shattered pieces at your feet, be encouraged:

God creates masterpieces from shards of glass.

The Best is Yet to Come

Despite its fair share of ups and downs, 2010 was definitely a monumental year for me. Here are three highlights:

1. I turned 25 (Quarter of a century! And you know, in spite of society’s acute fear of aging, it actually felt good.)
2. I went on my very first Mission Trip to India (This had been a goal of mine since I was 14 and it proved to be an absolutely incredible, life-altering experience.)
3. I made many deep friendships that will always remain very dear to my heart.

There were also some extremely difficult challenges in 2010 that brought with them a great deal of pain and disappointment. These experiences really tested my resilience, my character and my faith. But as the age old adage says, ‘What does not kill me makes me stronger’ and to tell you the truth, I have never felt so strong.

There is something incredibly empowering about standing tall in the face of adversity and devastation, looking it straight in the eye and saying, ‘You will not get the best of me’. When we feel like life’s trials are too difficult for us to face, we must remember that we are not facing them alone. God is always by our side, and with His Power working in us no trial is ever too great for He is our Victory. ALL things are possible through Christ who gives us Strength (Phil 4:13).

I’ve learned that when life throws you a curve ball, it doesn’t mean you’re going to strike out… you just have to adjust your swing. You still have the ability to knock it out of the park, only, not in the way you had originally planned. Besides, the game is in God’s Hands anyway. What a deep sense of hope and expectation that brings!

No matter how difficult the past year has been for you, be encouraged that God has AMAZING plans for your future; plans to prosper you and make your life overflow with His Goodness and Grace. He wants to bind your wounds, heal your heart and restore your soul. God loves you too much to leave you where you’re at emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. You can be sure that He who began a good work in you will carry it through to completion (Phil 1:6).

You are a child of the Most High and Your Father wants to bless your life abundantly. Believe it. Claim it. Live it. And expect GREAT things for 2011. The best is yet to come.

To a future filled with hope,
Tasha