“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.

Breakfast?

“But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you any food? ‘ They answered Him, ‘No.’ And He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.” Luke 21:5-6

This passage continues. The disciples come ashore and eat breakfast with Jesus.

After breakfast Jesus speaks to Peter and restores him. For Peter had denied knowing Jesus.

It is interesting that this restoration happened after breakfast.

The word breakfast is simple: break and fast. After hours of sleep we wake and break the fast of not eating.

After days of shame and not being with Jesus, Peter was given his calling and restored relationship.

How does this apply?

There’s often places that are broken and need restoration.

It’s tempting to ignore the broken with busy.

To “smooth over” the hurt with excuse.

True relationship doesn’t grow when dishonesty is holding a broken place.

Often the easiest method of dealing with hurt (hurt feelings, harsh words, biting criticism, disappointment, selfishness, loss…)
isn’t the way that leads to healing.

Patterns of unhealthy behavior can come from many different sources.

However it is clear from God’s Word that we are not to continue to allow such things.

Instead we need to take the opportunity to break the unhealthy pattern and allow Christ to restore.

The first step is to admit there is an unhealthy behavior.

Second is to take it to Jesus and repent.

Thirdly, there needs to be a plan to promote good habits to replace the old one.

Fourth, hold fast, it is worth the effort to make the change but old habits die hard and it takes work to replace them.

What an encouragement that we are not alone.

Just as Peter needed a personal touch from the Lord so do we, and we don’t have to wait for breakfast, He’s ready any time of the day.