The Glue

Monday, March 13, 2017
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Break Thou The Bread Of Life"1 (Lyrics)

I had received a commission to do a large, framed, stained glass mosaic of an eagle and had worked diligently on its creation until it was completed and ready for framing. I was very pleased with the result and heaved a sigh of relief, for it was the largest glass undertaking that I had ever attempted. In fact, I felt that I had perfectly captured what the buyer had requested — until I broke it.

During the framing, a new process for me, I pressed a little too hard, and the glass underlying the mosaic snapped in one corner. I was horrified. All that time and effort, not to mention the cost, and I had broken the piece. And yet, I decided not to stress about it. God would show me what to do, and of course, He did.

I had learned, when another, much-smaller piece had slipped from my hands and crashed to the floor, that a glue wash on the back of the glass was an effective way of restoring the work. Thus, I decided to try this same technique, and indeed, it held, strong and secure. As the glue dries clear and the coloured glass on the front portion of the work covers over the crack, the scene not only looks exactly as it should, but also the whole piece is in fact stronger than it was before it became broken.

Likewise, sometimes, our hopes and dreams, our families and relationships, our health or other aspects of our lives become broken. When that happens, we can be horrified, thinking, perhaps, that all is lost. Yet, when we place our dilemma in God's hands, nothing could be further from the truth. For with God, all things are possible: He is the healer, the restorer, the comforter, the glue that not only holds all things together, but increases the strength of our character amidst it all.

So today, no matter what happens or what you may be going through, remember God's promise:

Isaiah 40:31 – But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV)

Allowing God to be your glue wash today is preparation for taking flight tomorrow!

Prayer: Lord God, thank You that in You, we always have hope amidst the most hopeless of situations. Encourage us, through Your Holy Spirit, to continue to place our trust in You, that we might see the miracle of Your loving restoration. In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Thanks, Lynn.


    Thanks for sharing this devotional with us. It spoke to my heart. Blessings.


    I have great need of His loving restoration. Thank you for this devotional and all your devotionals.


    Lynne
    Great one!!


    Thanks, Lynne.
    What a great “loving Restorer” we have!


    Thanks, Lynne, for an interesting analogy.
    Blessings.


    That is a great one Lynne
    And I sing the hymn based on that text any time I am feeling stressed and anxious!


    Wow, what a beautiful devotional you have shared with so many people! Outside of the Holy Bible, I do not think I have ever read a more inspirational piece of prose! Thank you!


    HI Lynne,
    What a beautiful and inspiring devotion. Thank you very much for sharing what you learned and for your deep and abiding faith.


    Dear Lynne,
    A good reflection of how God holds us together, despite our being broken by life and the world.
    Blessings.


    Oh Boy Lynne! Having taken stained glass classes some years back, I had total admiration for you as I began reading of your undertaking…and really felt for you when it broke. How wonderful that you were able to “keep your cool” and rely on God’s guidance to attempt the “fix” and apply it not only to your beautiful piece…….but to this beautiful devotional piece.


    Hi Lynne: Good points and how hard it sometimes is to plan but not to worry.
    About your stained glass. I know nothing but if it works to “glue wash” a cracked or broken pane, would it not be wise to also “glue wash” all the uncracked panes, to reduce the chances of them cracking, and hold them together if they do? Just thinking.


    Thank you Lynne for this wonderful devotional….Isaiah 40:31….love this verse.
    At our Bible Study Group we are studying Isaiah…Interesting book.
    Thanks again for your commitment to writing outstanding Devotionals using God’s gift to you of writing.
    (On.)


    My Dear Friend Lynne, you have done it again, only this time you have made it so personal for me, and brought back the story of my stained glass eagle of many years ago.
    First of all, Isaiah 40:31 was the life verse that we had from the time we were married. The eagle became my favorite bird and began collecting them. My husband ordered a large stained glass eagle and took me to see it before it was finally framed. I was breathlessly shocked when I saw it and fell in love with it immediately. We chose the frame and would pick it up when it was completed.
    After we left it fell off the sill and a section of it broke. He called and let us know but assured us that he could correct it. When we picked it up we would not have known that it had been broken. He probably did the same thing you were telling in your story.
    After all these years, that beautiful stained glass eagle still, as always, hangs in a window, and goodness knows how many people over the years have commented on how beautiful and special it is. It has so much loving and spiritual meaning in my own personal life and I thank and praise the Lord for that.
    Thank you, Lynne, for making this a special day for me.
    Lynne, God loves you and so do I,
    (Ca.)


    Wonderful analogy Lynne!
    God Bless.


    Dear Lynne,
    Thank you for the great mended-glass devotional. I’m so thankful that the glass was repairable, and that you shared the illustration with us.
    Keep writing.


    Hi Lynne,
    Your devotional brings my thoughts to the wonder of what the Lord’s touch upon our lives can and will do. The words of the song “He touched me and made me whole”, came mind as I read these words.
    Thank you, Lynne.

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