#brokenandbeautiful  By: Julie Wicker

Walking on the beach one Saturday with my kids, I realized as I looked down and found seashells, some broken and some beautiful that we are all like these broken and beautiful seashells. In Joel 2:25 it reads, “God can restore what is broken and change it into something amazing. All you need is faith”.

Some of these seashells have barnacles attached to them. This makes me stop and think, if I do not filter what I take in every day, the negativity or social media, I too will grow barnacles. In 1 Timothy 4:16 it reads, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers”.
Feeling the sand in my toes and the sunshine on my face made me want to stay a while and bask in Gods glory. In Psalm 19:1 it reads, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands”.
Standing on this grand seashore reminded me that my God is so much bigger than my worries. In Jeremiah 32:17 it reads, “Ah, sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you”.
Watching the waves reminded me that my God is in control, in Psalm 89:9 it reads “You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them”.
Hearing the crashing of the waves, drowned out the noise of this world and the negative self-talk in my head. In Romans 12:2 it reads, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will”.
To see the birds feed off the seashore reminded me that my God provides. In Matthew 6:26 it reads, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap o store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

When I saw my shadow, it reminded me of how I am made in the image of Christ. In Genesis 1:27 it reads, “So God created mankind in his own image”.
Seeing all the different foot prints and paw prints in the sand reminded me of the “Footprints in The Sand” poem my mom had in our house growing up. The poem shows you one set up footprints because God is carrying us in our times of need. In Isaiah 43:2 it reads, “God will carry us through the storm”.
As I cleaned up to go home, I just happen to run my finger across my lips to taste sea salt. This reminded me that we as Christians are the salt of the earth. As I leave the seashore and go about my day as a wife, mother, friend, co-worker; it is my responsibility to take Christ with me. In Matthew 5:13 it reads, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot”.
How will you use your brokenness for God’s glory today?
I encourage you to stop, take a moment to look around you and enjoy God’s creation.
Since that Saturday, I have returned to the beach a few times to walk and pray. I have collected a few of these broken and beautiful seashells. I plan on displaying them at our Church’s Refresh and Renew Woman’s Retreat located at Herbert Memorial United Methodist church on January 19th and 20th. We hope to see you there. In the meantime, Stop and Look.

#prayer #brokenthings  By: Deborah Ard

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today we praise you for our brokenness. May we always remember that you “heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.”(Psalm 147:3) Thank you for taking the broken pieces of our lives and using those pieces to make something beautiful. May we always have our eyes open to the ways you can use our brokenness to be a witness and blessing in Your name. Lord, may we always stay focused on You and Your words and not believe the lies of this world. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

In the Name of Jesus Amen

#worshipwithus

Broken Things By Matthew West

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