Shattered and Scattered

By Cathy Irvin

Have you dropped a glass and watched it shatter and scatter across the floor? There was nothing you could do but sweep it up and throw it away. You might remind yourself not to go barefoot any time soon since splinters of glass sometimes linger.

Can you relate this scenario to a broken heart? It may have felt like it shattered into a million pieces. You probably felt it would never mend. The hurt was just too deep; too painful.

"Time heals all wounds," but at the moment of the shattering, it is impossible to believe. You look for brighter days, but your view is through a soul that sees only gray. You are numb.

Painful events generate broken hearts: a relationship gone wrong, the death of a loved one, a child gone astray, or perhaps someone you love has moved away. In any event, you do not feel like you can go another moment, let alone another day. You may ask yourself, "Am I depressed, oppressed, or just one big mess?"

Only God can mend your brokenness. He is the Potter and His specialty is molding us and shaping us. We need to remain on the Potter's wheel to be restored, but often we run to others. It is wonderful to get support from a godly friend or prayer with your Pastor, but this should be in addition to, not a substitute for time alone with the Lord.

I have had relationships go wrong and when I gave them to Jesus, He restored them.

My only sister died and eventually, her family moved away. I thought my heart was broken beyond repair. My two little great-grandchildren were only 4 hours away, but it felt as if it were a million miles. My heart felt like it was shattered. I asked for prayer, but every little thing reminded me of those children. To forget the pain, I stayed excessively busy. That only served to exhaust me.

I was trying to deal with the pain on my own and instead, generated more distress. Finally, I gave it to the Lord and prayed if it was His will that He would show them to come home.

Two months later they were home, but my heart had already been put back together because I had placed myself up on the Potter's wheel and said, "Lord you have to fix me. I can't do it myself."

Only Jesus can mend a broken heart, so don't delay if you find yourself in need of repair.

But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Daily Devotion

Shattered and Scattered

By Cathy Irvin

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