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Listen while you read: "Hark The Herald Angels Sing"1 (Lyrics) |
Isaiah 28:16 – So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed." (NIV)
The friend and customer for whom I had finished a stained glass commission was extremely happy. He had brought me a small oil painting of the Holy Family and asked me to recreate it in glass for him to hang in his window for Christmas. Unfortunately, a few days later, he returned with the beautiful glass in nothing but pieces. He had dropped it. He had swept up all the pieces and brought them back to me in a large manila envelope.
We dumped it out onto my table, and all I could do was sigh. It looked impossible. I just couldn't see how or where I would even begin to put it back together. My friend simply said, "I will leave it with you. Think about it. If you can't do anything, would you please make me another one?"
So I thought about it and I prayed about it, and as I did, ideas began to circulate within my mind as to how I would at least make a start. Step by step, I prayed and worked. The most difficult issue was that the foundational clear glass to which the stained glass is glued had been shattered, so there was nothing to attach the coloured pieces to. I carefully sifted through all the shards and gradually glued most of the original foundational glass back together. Once I had done this, I took a brand new piece of clear glass and glued it to the back of the shattered pieces. Now I had a brand new foundation, enabling me to begin rebuilding the entire piece. I managed to complete it before Christmas.
The finished product was quite amazing. Though small cracks could be seen here and there, the overall piece was beautiful. The cracks were an important reminder to my friend and me that each person needs a new foundation to build their lives upon: the foundation of Jesus Christ. Without Him, nothing that we build is lasting. But with Him, our lives take on a new and eternal purpose. With Him as our foundation, the broken and shattered pieces of our lives become mended and whole again, becoming a testimony to the glory of His goodness, love, and healing power. We also become part of the Holy Family — in this case, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As the prophet Isaiah wrote so many years ago, the one who trusts in this tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation, will never be dismayed.
Perhaps, as you read this today, your life has been shattered. Perhaps, you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus, the tested stone, the precious cornerstone for a sure foundation. Perhaps, today would be a good day to do so, for the one who trusts in Him will never be dismayed.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending us Jesus, the precious cornerstone for a sure foundation. Thank You that all who call out in faith and believe upon His name and His saving power find forgiveness for their sins and eternal life in Him. Bless all those today who are making the choice to begin a new life with Christ as their foundation. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Awesome! Thank you.
The breadth of your talents amazes me.
Thank you. I needed those words today.
Thank you, Lynn. We all need that sure foundation.
Thanks for the great encouragement, Lynne. God bless.
Great story and so true, Lynne. Christmas blessings to you!
Lynne, thank you for sharing this inspiring devotional with us. Blessings.
I shall never forget this devotional! The hope, strength and experience it shares speak deeply to my heart. Thank you, Lynne for allowing God’s spirit to write it through you.
What a meaningful story!
Thanks for your many inspiring pieces. You seem to be a woman of many talents and wear an assortment of hats!
(BC)
Hi Lynn,
Good devotional as usual. You are right about Jesus being the sure foundation on which to build our lives.
I have a similar story about a shattered project of mine.
We, Greta and I wish you a blessed Christmas.
Hello Lynne. Blessings abundant to you and yours this lovely Christmastide! This is a lovely devotional again today. I would really have enjoyed seeing your handiwork once it had been restored. You appear to be a woman of many talents. Thanks for sharing. Much food for thought.
(Ontario)
Lynn; what a beautiful story, and object lesson, for this season. God the Creator can take the broken pieces and make them a picture again. The light shining through the cracks is evidence of Gods willingness, to take broken lives and make them whole again: You and I are evidence of that being so. I pray that you will have a blessed Christmas.
Greetings Lynne,
A beautiful devotional! In reading it, as soon as you mentioned “you prayed about what to do”, I felt right then your foundation was laid. So wonderful we have our Lord to go to as our rock, our firm foundation.
Thanks again for this writing and blessings of the season of celebration of Jesus birth.
(B.C.)
Hi, I read with considerable interest “Ready or Not” and it brought back memories of the night I asked the big question. To my surprise instead of an answer tears started streaming down her cheeks! Thankfully she quickly composed herself and said YES. Sadly, she passes away suddenly shortly after our 48th anniversary, adored by her children and grandchildren.
Keep up your fine writing.
(On.)
Dear Lynne,
Great devotional today with a powerful illustration. Thank you!
Hello Lynne,
Your devotions are beautiful and this one is certainly no exception.
Hello Lynne: I almost missed this great devotional. For some reason the word “Foundation” stood out and I thought, I better read this before I head off to rest. It has been a rough year, and I have been feeling down. So glad I did, and as I am reading it the words to “The Church’s One Foundation ran through my head. A good old hymn. You were reinforcing and/or strengthening the beautiful work and restoring it, just as the words to this hymn were reinforcing me and restoring me and building me up for another day, as the words ran through my head. With what appeared like an impossible task, your love, and trust brought this work of art back to its former glory, just as God will do with us when we place our trust in Him. I get so many lessons during my trials that with God all things are possible, just as it was possible for restoration of this work of art, when we hang in there and don’t give up, God can take the shattered pieces of our life and build on it. I hope I have conveyed what I am trying to say. Thank you for sharing this and Merry Christmas.