5-year-old Kaleb requested a snow globe for Christmas, one of my favorite things. So my husband Kenya and I gave him a simple musical one (pictured above) that features The Magi and plays “We Three Kings.”
Almost daily, he lifts the transparent sphere. Up and down his hands rapidly move as he holds onto its dark wooden base. A broad smile covers his face and a subtle gleam of satisfaction appears in his eye as the iridescent flakes swirl around the figurines of the Three Wise Men and Baby Jesus.
Kaleb is enraptured every time.
So am I.
I love snow globes.
“Why can’t Kaleb take the snow globe in his room?” 8-year-old Kedar asked while hovering over the delightful Christmas present with his baby brother.
“Because it’s fragile honey and I don’t want him to break it,” I replied, remembering what happened to our oldest daughter Kyla's snow globe the year prior. She, too, had requested and received a beautiful one in 2011.
Unfortunately, Kaleb got his hands on it, played with it, accidentally dropped it while running, and broke it.
I remember how upset Kyla was, so I don’t want the same thing to happen to this one. Because of that, I am taking the necessary precautions and appointing myself the Snow-Globe-Guardian. That means our active sons are welcome to view it and enjoy its melody, but it doesn't leave my supervision.
How great a teacher is experience?
It’s one of the best and I wouldn’t trade it for the world, even if some of its lessons come out of brokenness.
Every member of my Daily Cup family can remember at least a few nuggets of wisdom gleaned from the field wherein lie memories of a broken heart; a broken relationship; or broken dreams of some sort.
The season of brokenness has likely brought with it more than its fair share of pain in your life. I certainly can testify to that. But once you and I came through it, we walked away with invaluable life lessons to help us walk in greater levels of wholeness.
And that’s the blessing of brokenness. Through it, when we allow God to complete His work in us, we are made whole, wise, and strong.
Just take a moment to look retrospectively. You’ll recall that some of the things you thought would break you down ended up building you up, didn't they? You now possess greater wisdom and understanding; strength and endurance; discernment and clarity.
But you had to be broken first.
I know it hurt, but I believe what broke you in 2011, will build you in 2012 and beyond.
So don’t altogether forget what you came through even though you’re looking and moving ahead. I know many people see the New Year as a time of starting over completely. But I believe 2012 is a year of carryover.
All the junk and baggage gets left behind for sure.
But you and I must carry over the useful lessons crafted through life experiences. For they help us continue to walk along our divinely charted course in life.
The brokenness, in and of itself, is healed by the power of God. But the lessons from the brokenness are what make us strong.
That’s why the first scripture I’m stirring into your cup of inspiration for 2012 is found in Psalm 119:71 KJV. It says, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”
When you drink down the contents of your first warm, fresh cup of the New Year, you will more clearly see and understand that your brokenness last year was never designed by God to break you. He allowed it to teach you His way and keep you from ever being broken the same way again.
It was good for you.
It was good for me.
It was good for us... so that we might learn.
Now you and I can say, "My brokenness made me whole."
Because of that, we are ready and positioned for a wisdom-filled, spirit-led 2012.
Let's pray together.
God, I went through some deep hurt and brokenness last year. I lost some things and people. But, by Your grace, I didn’t lose the lessons You taught me through it all. Even though I cried and thought I would be irreparably broken, You mended me, healed me, and set me on the right path. I thank You so much! As I continually seek to please You in this New Year, oh God, I ask that You order my steps. Put me in remembrance of all You taught me leading up to this point. And help me walk in Your divine wisdom and understanding so I will receive all You have for me at the appointed time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
