Broken

Even my broken parts are part of the Lord's plans.  He allows them to remind me of my utter dependence on Him.  Alone I can be ugly and sinful.  I misstep and misspeak often.  I am forgetful. weak,prideful, addicted to the wrong things...but God! My heart desires to follow Jesus to the ends of the earth, but all too many times I get lazy and follow the feelings of my flesh.   I am not saying these things because I feel bad about myself.  I know I am a child of God...beautiful to Him even in my faultiness, because I am created in His image, brought by the blood of Jesus, a child of the most high King, clothed in His robe of righteousness (and so are you, by the way).  But I am a fallible, failing human being living in a fallen world, which I fall prey to often. 

I've had a song on my heart for the last week and listening to it this morning brought such peace to my heart.  It reminds me that I can bring all this brokenness to God, giving Him my battered life and my damaged heart.  As I pour these out before the Lord, He uses them for His purposes. Giving beauty for ashes.  I love the beauty of God's reality.  We bring our fragmented lives, the good, the bad and the ugly and He makes a life that brings Him glory.  All we need to do is come open and willing to our Father and accept His loving grace. 

2 Corinthians 12:9   Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  Can I get an AMEN!!  

Hebrews 5:2  And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses.  Ignorant and wayward I can surely be! 

Romans 8:28-29  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  YES!!!

This is God's way of looking at our frailties.  It gives me such hope and peace to know that even at my worst, God is working in me and my circumstances to make me into the image of Jesus.  Often I feel like giving up, I get frustrated because I know my heart and I know that I fall so short, so often...but then something like this song comes along and reminds me that I am not alone, I am not outside of the Lord's hands.  He works even in my brokenness.  What a wonderful God visit. 

Lord, thank You!!!  A million times thank You!!!  I come to You, open arms, open hands....take all of my weaknesses and failures and turn them into a life that glorifies You.  Free me of my pride....I am nothing without You, nor do I want to be anything without You.  My greatest desire is that You live through me and reach others through me.  Change me in Your timing and in Your way.  Hep me to learn patience as I wait for Your timing.  I want to be "fixed" overnight!  But that is not Your way.  Help me love myself as I am and love others as they are...knowing we are all a work in progress!  You are good!  Thank You for Your grace.  Always in the Name of Jesus. 

Matthew 11:28  Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Love yourself today and open your hands to God.