We have a prolific chipmunk population on our property. These rascals can clear off the birdfeeder lickety-split. Chipmunks are hoarders. They get their pouches filled with seed and bury them in various and sundry places. It guarantees me blooming sunflowers in September! In early July I noted a sprout growing from the crack between the stairs and the sidewalk leading up to our front porch; it quickly grew and this past weekend it bloomed. Isn’t it pretty? (above)
The chipmunks’ hoarding habits make for wonderful photos, don’t you agree? I have never once planted a sunflower seed! I don’t need to!
This year’s sunflower in the crack immediately stirred a blog inside my soul. And, then, last week my daughter was here for a quick stop – she couldn’t miss the stalk arising from the crack and shared with me…
“Just the other day I said to my friend, when our lives have a lot cracks in them the better The Light can shine through!”
Does anyone in the room know about restoration and the mercy of God? My daughter and I are the first to raise our hands! Both of us are living proof of the unconditional love and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61.1-3
I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten — the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm…and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you…Joel 2.25-26
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4.6-7
I will repeat that for those of you who think I made a mistake! There is great value in being broken – there is an account in the Old Testament where God used CRACKED POTS to confuse the enemy and bring victory to the Israelites! You can read about Gideon and his small army here.
It is our tendency to discard things that are broken, BUT GOD looks at the broken, the cracked, the throw-away’s and sees beauty in the making.
Just like my lovely, living, vibrant sunflower ascending from the dirty crack – you see,
Let’s wear our broken and our cracks with great grace, we are not discards; we are the redeemed of a merciful Savior.
Do you know Him?
xo
Linking up with:
Really beautiful and encouraging. Thank you for reminding me of the story of Gideon and the cracked pots.
Mary, I had forgotten about that story until I began doing some research this morning!!!
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.” So thankful to be reminded that I’m just a jar of clay, but it’s what’s INSIDE that counts!
Amen and amen, Michele!
I am truly a cracked pot as well and can so relate to everything you’ve said here. Thank you for this beautiful encouragement. Those sunflowers are absolutely amazing! They are one of my favorite flowers. I love that they just grow in your sidewalk cracks. What a perfect sign and reminder from God!
Candace, from one cracked pot to another, THANK YOU!!! Sending you spiritual sunflowers today!!! 😉
My husband and I have gone through an incredible challenge the last several years. Just when I thought the sun/Son would never shine in our lives again the LORD does great and mighty things. HE shines HIS light through the cracks (and tears) and gives us a better day. He is mighty and to be praised all the days of our lives and into eternity. Glory!
Amen, sister!
All I can say is you have blessed me this morning with God’s beauty and your words. Thank you and Amen.
Well then the Lord has accomplished His purpose!
Thank you for “the cracks” and inspiration. Finishing my “cuppa” n going to take my Auntie to an appt and I will show her the cracks in her sidewalk is God’s light shining through. Have a Blessed day. Hugs
Love it, Merry!!!
So glad to find this article! “It is our tendency to discard things that are broken, BUT GOD looks at the broken, the cracked, the throw-away’s and sees beauty in the making.” Indeed!
Reminds me of: “A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench;” (Is 42:3, Matthew 12:20).
Love to you from Holland,
Jasmine
Jasmine, thank you so much for visiting all the way from Holland. I am blessed!
So many, many cracks! I’m so grateful for them (now) as they allow the Light to shine. The glimpses of those deep, multiplied cracks send shivers and nausea ripples throughout my body. BUT, I have come to learn that it’s only Grace that allows me to bear witness to the Light I grasp tightly. When you’ve “been forgiven much”, well you know the rest. Luke 7:47
Great blog Mom!!!
Yes, ma’am, WE KNOW THE REST!!! And, are grateful. Whew…xoxoxo
Beautiful, Susan, so well stated! Thankful that our God takes our brokenness and uses us in such wonderful ways! I loved zooming in on your sunflower close up pic and just sit in awe of all His designs and marvelous works!
Christina, He sure had a lot of cracks and brokenness to fix in me. I am so grateful!
Well, my friend, you know how I feel about cracks and grace and sunflowers! Kindred indeed! (Thanks for the reminder!)
Yes, ma’am…a true kindred even though years apart. xo
Did you read Jennifer Dukes Lee’s post yesterday? Your posts are very similar…beauty out of the brokenness. My best friend Joni loves sunflowers. When she was little, she got lost in a sunflower field. She slept in that field through the night. When the guard dogs found her, she said “Jesus and the puppies woke me up.” Ever since she has had a thing for sunflowers. Her license plate is snflwer or something like that for “son follower.” Like clay jars, we are all cracked and broken, yet so very beautiful. God made us “fearfully and wonderfully made”
Tara, I read Jennifer’s blog this morning when I was linking up mine! I love it when God does that. Can’t imagine how frightened Joni could’ve been but hey, with Jesus and puppies watching over you, why fear?
I don’t know where to start.
Your daughter is very wise with a very beautiful heart.
Beautiful sunflower — my favorites!
Beautiful thoughts and Scripture. I have been happy to be a cracked pot because if I were solid all the way through, how could His light ever shine?
Amen, sister!!
Beautiful, Susan! Simply beautiful…it touched me deep inside – to know that He loves us no matter if we are cracked and broken…and we – I – am! Thank you for sharing this lovely, touching post!
Oh, and the sunflowers are beautiful too…love that it grew between the cracks; and amazing that you have NEVER planted them…they just spring up!!
Every year, Barbara, they start popping up all over the place!!! Silly chipmunks!
It is so true. What shines through our cracks is beautiful.
And the more cracks? The more Light!
I LOVE this post! Great pictures. The message hits so close to home for me (its like you are reading my book…how did you know??!!). I love the cracks as God gently cradles us in His hands and breathes meaning to every broken piece of our heart. We just need to put down the duct tape long enough to trust the Healer. That’s hard. That means giving control over to Him…broken pieces and all. So worth the adventure! LOVE THIS!!! One of my favorites from you!!!!
Really? Bethany, that means so much to me my sweet friend in FLORIDA!!!
Oh man, this post hit me in the right spot today. *tears*
One of my favorite people, YOU! The Light is showing through you – let it shine! xo
I love this! And it reminds of a fabulous Philip Yancey quote that I used in a post quite awhile ago – http://www.kristinhilltaylor.com/2014/01/no-more-perfect-kids-letting-light.html. I’m glad you linked up at #ThreeWordWednesday!