I’ve just finished reading Jennifer Dukes Lee’s new book “Love Idol”** and am becoming more aware each day of how I fashion my own not-gods out of man made materials.
Last week I wrote and published (for less than 24 hours) a post about World Vision’s decision regarding same sex hiring practices. I wanted to add my voice to the many out there who Had Something to Say. I also wanted to be just like those people. And I’m not.
I deleted my post, retrieved my Tweets (kind of like picking up birdseed–ever tried that?) and came back and wrote this instead.
~~~~~~~~~~
How odd (interesting?)
that we who are broken
try to re-member our lives,
put together the pieces
by ourselves,
grab the glue and get to work
fashioning our vessels
with bits marked “Not You”
to become a container
of our own making.
We forget there is a Master Potter,
the only Bonding Agent we’ll ever need
who alone
knows the beauty that belongs to us
(because He fashioned us himself)
awaiting His hand to place
our broken glory into a bright gift
of His making.
** Jennifer’s book “Love Idol” is available through online sources by clicking here.
Jody, this is beautiful. Thank you for reminding me to give Him all of my pieces (and right now, I have quite a few.).
No matter how hard we try to piece our pieces, it seems like our containers are always cracked. Love this Jody, my brave and humble friend.
Jody- So besides loving the poem and your vulnerability…I love the photo of broken pottery…it's amazing how God provides just the right words, photos and life experiences to use in your posts to encourage us!
Thank you, Jan. The words just sort of poured out with the broken-dishes-into-beauty picture.
thanks for reading, Jen. The theme for our Women's Retreat this year is “Beauty from Brokenness” and I thought of you. The smashed plates in the picture are parts of some old pottery we're going to use to make a mosaic and I thought of your project last year. (That was part of the inspiration.)
This reminds me of the restoration retreat — how differently our lives are pieced back together from brokenness when He is in charge of arranging the pieces, when He is the glue, the Master designer…
I love everything about this post. Your poem speaks to me.. so many “bits marked 'Not You'…” in my homemade vessel.
And this: “try to re-member our lives” — a vivid play on words that will stay with me.
Love you!
“a container of our own making”
I get that.
Thoughtful writing here, Jody. Thanks so much. xo
thank you, Lisa, for reading!
He alone knows the pieces that belong to us – that's a beautiful thought, Jody. A beautiful piece of poetry from the heart. I'm glad you shared this.
Well, I thought I'd just dive in and deal with it. I'm interested in staying free and that's part of what it takes, I think, being honest. Thanks for reading, Elizabeth.
It took humility to post this friend. I think that's a weapon we all need when it comes to tearing down idols.