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Listen while you read: "Are You Coming To Jesus Tonight"1 (Lyrics) |
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (NIV)
Psalm 139:13-14a – For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (NIV)
Recently, I received a commission for a piece of stained glass. At a friend's home, a gentleman had seen a glass that I had created a number of years previously, and he contacted me to see if I would consider doing a similar scene for him. I agreed to create it.
A few days later, I began work. This scene involved a caribou, and the head and antlers, as I soon recalled, were very challenging to create. I persevered for several hours, until finally, I was happy with my efforts. In fact, I felt that this piece, so far, exceeded the original, which was a great encouragement and motivator to keep going. Thus, I was devastated to come back into the house after a short break and discover that the clear glass, which the stained glass was glued to, had been smashed. The lower right corner lay in five large pieces, scattered on my work table.
Sophie, one of my dogs, had obviously leapt onto the table to look out the window to see where I was. This is a habit of hers, so I had made sure to move the project well away from the centre of the table, over to the far edge, for the sake of safety. Nevertheless, somehow, she had stepped on the corner of the glass and shattered it.
What to do? This was my last frame and piece of clear glass, and I did not know when I would be able to find another one suitable for this project. I called a friend to tell her what had happened, and she encouraged me not to toss the work, but to stay calm and consider alternatives. After all, I had already repaired several severely broken pieces that customers had inadvertently dropped and brought back to me to see if there was anything that I could do.
Later that evening, I decided to try gluing the pieces back together. The next morning, I saw that the pieces had held, so I repeated the process on the backside of the glass. I notified my customer as to what had happened. I let him know that I would finish the piece, and if it turned out well, without any cracks showing, and if he still wanted it, I would discount the price. He was happy with this arrangement.
I found, however, that I had lost my motivation to move ahead with the glass. It was damaged. It was a second. It had to be discounted. I was discouraged and really just wanted to toss it. But God used this scenario to remind me of some spiritual truths. In His sight, none of us is ever viewed as a second. None of us is less important because we are flawed and damaged. And none of us is ever discounted. He loves us all equally, and Jesus died for every single one of us, no matter who we are or what we have done. To Him, each of His creations is precious, beautiful, and honoured in His sight, for after all, we are each created in His image.
With these truths in mind, I found myself once again happily working on this new and special stained-glass creation. Somehow, I think that it may just turn out to be one of my best works ever.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You love and care for each one of us equally. There are no seconds or discounted people in Your eyes, for You created us in Your image and desire that none should perish, but that everyone should come to repentance. May it be so. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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I love stained glass.
I am smiling, Lynne.
Wow Moment Lynne!
Blessings.
Thank you, Lynne, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us.
Blessings.
A wonderful message with an important lesson for us all! Thanks and blessings, Lynne!
Good morning on this beautiful day Lynne. Thank you so much for this very encouraging devotional; an uplifting way to start the day. Blessings.
What a great message Lynn! A welcome one to receive first thing in the morning. I liked the stain glass story very much and found it very relatable.
Also treasure the fact that no censure was given to Sophie who has a whole different set of values to yours – you and your well being are certainly hers! Love to your dogs and to you, today.
Dear Lynne:
I know I am not the original me; replacement parts abound!
Thank you for your beautiful words of encouragement.
God bless you, Lynne.
Dear Lynne,
Thank you so much for today’s devotional. The LORD has given you much patience and wisdom.
We continue to enjoy the piece in our kitchen window.
Blessings to you.
Good morning, Lynne.
What a beautiful picture you have created for us all! Thank you for passing on the revelation with which God blessed you.
From one restored piece of art to another, by God’s grace,
Blessings.
Lynne, what an encouraging devotional! It’s delightful to see how God speaks to you through your art projects, and at other times through your grandchildren and your animals. You remind me to open my eyes to see God’s hand at work and hear his voice in the daily things of life.
Good morning, Lynne,
None of us are discounted indeed. Me, with my artificial and missing parts would be a real bargain.
You always write such meaningful and easy to relate to devotionals.
Thank you and blessings.
Great story Lynne. We have a Shattered Joy healing service near Christmas for those who are broken by grief or whatever. We have finished the edges on broken pieces of stained glass and have them set out beautifully on a table. Each guest could select their own piece and keep it or offer it back later in the service.
Your story brought that to mind. There is beauty in brokenness, and it can be restored by Jesus.
Thanks.
Dear Lynne, many thanks for another of your very special and encouraging devotionals. Doing that stained glass work sounds quite tedious and thankfully you persevered through the effort of restoring the fractured pieces. You truly responded to the Lord’s voice and direction He wanted you to do. Our Lord surely deserves our reverence for His continuous loving care and guidance. Blessings for these beautiful and very meaningful writings you do. May you enjoy a wonderful day.
Hi Lynne and thank you for your continued writing of devotions. I never cease to be amazed at your talent of taking the simplest of ideas or happenings in your daily life and creating a lesson for all. What talent! And yes….I am sinfully envious of that talent!
I find myself, more and more, looking carefully at life and its content, and wondering about a lesson hidden within. Thank you for that lesson and prod. Keep teaching!
All the best to you.
(ON.)
Good morning, Lynne,
Well that is very creative that you could glue glass back together. I would not have thought that was possible.
Also amazing how you could relate that to God’s love for all of us and we are never “second” best. Another time, I think you should take Sophie with you.
I am glad it all worked out and that you were very pleased with the finished stained glass.
I am pleased that what is truly important to you is your love of God and His love for you which you recognize and share with others in very creative ways.
Thank you for sharing that beautiful devotional with everyone. I see myself in that broken part. For most of my life I’ve battled with depression, chronic pain, as well as addiction to OTC medication for many years (now sober). I know what it feels like to think you’re beyond fixable in society’s eye, but I take great solace in Psalm 139; in every part of it. Society makes up their mind that addicts just lack will power, which is as far from the truth as possible. Most addicts want to stop desperately but can’t figure out how to live without that numbing side of their drug. I used in order to numb the exorbitant amount of physical pain, which led to emotional, mental, and spiritual pain. I was un a place where I couldn’t even see Jesus’ light, even though it was still there.
Thank you so much for this! I need it right now more than ever as I deal with a new chronic pain issue and the anniversary of my best friend’s death. However, this devotional reminded me that I am not broken to Him.
God bless you!
(Nova Scotia)
Good morning, Lynne,
Thank you for sharing your story “Broken Glass” in the PresbyCan Daily Devotionals. This is a lovely comparison and thank you for your heartfelt words in your 2nd last paragraph and thank you for the prayer. I have often felt like broken glass / damaged goods throughout my life; and your story reminds me that regardless, God through our Saviour Jesus Christ heals us and makes us feel whole again. We are all important and equal to Him.
Many warm thanks.
God bless.
(ON)