“Broken, broken”

That’s what he said multiple times as he carefully handed me each piece.

Our grandson is 1 and his vocabulary is growing like crazy, so are his fine motor skills.

As this toy is evidence.

I’d handed him the toy a bit earlier and had noticed the bottom of the van was loose in one place.

If Bubba had simply driven it on the floor it would have been fine.

If he’d simply carried it around the house, as he often does with cars, it would have been fine.

The toy was simply old and had come loose in one small place.

But that one tiny area grabbed his attention and he pulled on it until it gave way.

Without the base there was nothing to hold the wheels in place, so he removed them too.

With these things done he looked it over and said, “Broken broken!”

I chuckled, “Because you broke it.”

He couldn’t understand me, but wasn’t upset.

It was soon forgotten as he went off to play with something else.

I put the pieces out of reach and out of sight.

This morning I scooped up the pieces to throw away.

But my heart pricked me and I took a picture of them instead.

Isn’t this a perfect example of what happens when I focus on the one thing which isn’t perfect rather than enjoy the opportunity?

Too often I’m robbed of the joy or the time with others because I’m focused on one thing which isn’t quite right.

I want everything to be a certain way, and when it isn’t I can fall into the trap of the enemy.

Allowing the enemy and my own sinful desires to rob me of what the Lord has given.

And if I choose to pick at the problem, take it all apart, I might even mess up what God had given in the first place, because instead of rejoicing in the gift, I’m complaining about what was given.

The book of Numbers shows clearly why complaining is a bad idea and how God feels about it.

I don’t want to ruin the blessings He gives by my poor attitude or sinful perspective.

I don’t want to miss the gifts of the Lord.

I don’t want to pull apart something He gave me and hand it back with the words: “It doesn’t work, it’s broken” all because I broke it.

Instead, I want to use the things He gives me with joy and gratitude.

I want my words to bring Him glory.

I want my perspective to be based on God’s Word and walking in faith.

After all, He’s in the business of using those who are broken, weak, and insignificant in the eyes of the world.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 NKJV — But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
that no flesh should glory in His presence.

Truly, everything we have the ability to do or make is because God Himself gave us the ability.

It is truly folly to glory in ourselves or other creations when all honor, all glory belongs to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31NKJV — But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for this reminder. Thank You that although I’m not always quick to be thankful for things, I know You are teaching me how to be. Lord, please continue to help my tongue to speak words that edify, that I might benefit those who listen. Lord, I thank You and praise You for all these things, both the lessons and the ways You teach my heart. Please continue to hone me into Your likeness, that I might bring glory to Your name. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

*Just because we think something is “broken, broken” doesn’t mean God can’t put it back together, just like my son repaired the toy.