Author Darlene J. Conard

(Photo is from, The Chosen written and produce by Dallas Jenkins)

Beneath my feet lay pieces of broken toys. A wheel here, a marred block there, a few pieces from a torn doll indicated that children actively played. If those toys had feelings, I could relate to their brokenness. I’m sure all of us could!

I enjoy watching a series called, The Chosen. The series reveals that the disciples were imperfect: short tempered, hungry, tempted, angry, argumentative and even questioning themselves. One episode Mary Magdalene falls into temptation when a demoniac begins to remind her of her past. She listened to him as he reminded her of how vile she was. Shame ensnared her. Mary revisits her old hangouts and begins picking up the habits.

Jesus sends several disciples out looking for her. Finally, Matthew and Peter find her sitting in an alley.  They plead with her to come back. “He already fixed me once,” she replied. Matthew’s answer to her is an unforgettable one, “He can fix you again.” The scene absolutely hit a wall accumulating within my spirit, such as: I have asked God to forgive me a thousand times. I’m tired of hurting, struggling and taking unknown steps ending in disaster. I’m tired of wrestling with why I’m always the enemy when I’ve tried helping by praying, encouraging and doing things. Isn’t that what Christians do? I’m tired, broken and I don’t want to hurt anymore! Brokenness isn’t pleasant in the least.

Getting back to those broken toys, most would throw them in the trash.  Some have dedicated themselves to restoring them. “I’ll take time to thoroughly clean them, examine parts, replace brokenness with new, mend torn pieces with needle and thread, whatever it takes.

Hours upon hours, even days pour into restoration. Evidence of its battered state is no more; yet, its uniqueness is preserved.  

“God that’s exactly what You do! Devastation rushes in with its hands, pulling, rending us and leaving scars. You don’t throw us away as some do.” It’s true, He fixed us once but it won’t be the last. Restoration isn’t beyond Him.

“For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV) This is one of many scriptures of God’s restoring power.

Isaiah 42:9 is a promise, “Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Seek Him with all your heart, mind and soul. Talk, cry out to Him plow through your brokenness. He will hear and answer. Yes, beloved it will take time; however, you will be restored. I suppose the reasons behind toy restorers are the same. “Someone saw my worth.”

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