Shattered

Have you ever felt shattered? If something's shattered, it has suddenly busted into pieces. In Looney Tunes, Wile E. Coyote has an Acme anvil tied to his neck. He falls from crazy heights, smashes to the ground, and shatters into pieces. In the next scene, he's in one piece like nothing happened. Real life isn't that easy, right? When I fall apart, I feel like I can't get up. I stare at my broken pieces, trying to figure out what just happened, and how to pull myself together again. I have to admit I'm not very good at it.

We're all made differently. We take in news differently and react differently too. Have you ever had a friend or parent say, "Just suck it up" or "Get over it"? I don't know about you but those comments used to make me feel worse- like I'm abnormal or weaker than everyone else. But, no one can tell you how to feel. And, if you're feeling shattered, your feelings are real, valid, and honest.

Your journey is a huge part of what makes you, YOU. I took the hard road to get where I am today. I chose my own path and carved out my own destination. I hit speed bumps, detour signs, and drove my life straight into a ditch. It took a lot of "do-overs" to learn I had to let go of control. That was one of the biggest challenges of my life.

When I look back, I see now that trying to do things my own way all the time drove me through some painful places: despair, substance abuse, anger, and resentment-to name a few. These all led me to a state of depression. So there I was ... shattered, broken beyond repair, and hopeless. My pieces had edges so sharp, that when I tried to pick them up myself, I was hurt more than if I'd left them on the ground.

But, check this out! Shattered is a good thing. I hear you asking "Are you crazy? Broken, unusable, wounded ... how is that good?" Have you ever seen someone spin clay? To mold it, it has to be soft and flexible. The potter has the power to work the clay to make it useful. If the clay isn't "prepared," it will resist, crack, or have defects. The potter is so skillful that when the clay is ready he will reshape it and make it a very usable pot! He smoothes the edges, shaping it with just the right amount of pressure to give it strength and stability.

God is my potter. I am His clay. He's molded and reshaped my life and changed me forever. Does it keep me from shattering? No, it still happens sometimes, but God uses those painful moments to reshape me.

All you need to do is trust Him. He loves you no matter what you do or how shattered you are. He's the only one who can truly put you back together. He will even use you for His glory! When life falls apart, remember that God has not forgotten you. He is still in control.

God says, "Look at the nations and watch-and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told" (Habakkuk 1:5). I take that passage to heart! I'm amazed how God uses me despite all I've done and gone through. He still loves me, calls me His kid, and fixes me. He is always proving He can use broken situations in our lives to lead us to a better life-a never-ending life in heaven!

God puts things back together. He can put you back together. He can even fix your broken heart. Just ask Him.