"The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts. I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved, for You are my praise."—Proverbs 17:3; Psalm 31:12; Psalm 34:18; Jeremiah 17:14 (NASB)

Distinctly God's

When everything I valued was smashed and the remaining pieces torn away from me, I saw myself as I really am.

Vulnerable. Broken. Crushed.

Busted relationships, busted promises and busted expectations shattered my hope that I could be restored, better than before.

Golden Seams

In the 15^th century, the Japanese did not throw away broken ceramic objects. They mended them with a technique known as kintsugi or golden joinery. A lacquer resin held the broken seams together. Then the skilled kintsugi artisan sprinkled a finely powdered gold on the sticky lacquer seams.

These golden seams on mended ancient broken pots are distinctly Japanese. Enhanced by the master artisan’s touch, the beauty of a broken pot, that normally would have been tossed, made it lovelier and more precious and valuable than before.

Hard times test my fragile heart, sensitizing it to others—also broken, crushed and flung away like throwaway debris. How can I thank God enough for picking up each piece and patching together my life and heart better than before?

I am not disposable to God.

I'm precious and valuable.

The restorative touch of my wounded healer, Jesus, highlights my brokenness, letting others know—

I'm distinctly God's.