Brick by Brick: Rebuilding the Broken

Tragedy. It can bring out the worst in us, or it can bring out a strength we never knew we had. We can run from it, we can face it, we can become angry, we can find peace. Or, most likely it will be a agonizing, painful mix of everything.  Loss and heartbreak do not go away on the holidays. It doesn't take vacation days. It follows you like a stray cat. Hungry, and scared. Will you befriend that part of you, or will you ignore it, hoping it leaves on its own? Let's imagine that stray cat is a tiger instead. Now how do you take care of that? I know my pain is not "unique"; someone, somewhere has gone through something similar. Yes, my exact situation is unique to me and my family.  Not every scenario plays out the same, not every personality reacts the same, not every relationship has the exact connection, but the choices are always the same. What will we do with what we have now? What now? Where do we go from here?  Questions demand answers, and they can d

Consider with me the puzzle of life. When you are born, let's imagine an unmarked cardboard box comes with the delivery date.  You and your little puzzle box. The new parents are so excited to meet you that they almost forget to pack that unclaimed package when they take you home that day. The admissions nurse reminds your mother to keep track of that box in the short briefings before the sliding door opens to a brand new world.  At first they are so overwhelmed by your very presence that the box is quite forgotten. This downy soft velveteen of a new baby is intoxicating and sweet. Mum and Da can't seem to get enough of those precious moments together with you. In the next few, very short months that it takes you to grow into a tiny human with your very own free will who just discovered this power of the word "NO!",                          your parents whisper between themselves about that box. What does it all mean? What should we do with it? What will i

Do you remember Sunday School stories? Which one is your favorite? I can remember enjoying them all, but some were much more memorable than others. Perhaps because I could relate to the characters,  or maybe I didn't get how such a miracle could actually happen, I'm not sure. Regardless, some stories just stick with me, and maybe God was preparing me for what was ahead, knowing how much I would need those stories later. My current way of hearing those beloved stories retold anew, is the TV series called The Chosen. I really love how the writer expands on the characters,  and gives them each a real and powerful personality that help the verses stand out.  Sometimes the storyline is so compelling that it gets you to understand more than you ever did way back in the tiny rooms full of antsy children, excited faces full of frosting and smears of kool-aid mustaches. I wonder if my teachers thought we might never settle down, or even remember anything about the lessons!  ( I know fro

Another day had begun.  The weekend crowd had gone home.  Most shops were open once again.  The regular travelers were silently going about their daily business as if the Greatest Miracle Of All Time wasn't even noticed. But some were not so quick to forget.  They were there that horrible day. They watched in horror as Jesus suffered alongside two known criminals.  They winced at the Preacher's cries on the cross.  These two men felt the turmoil in protesters jeering and spitting at the Innocent Man,  Who in turn only prayed for Abba's forgiveness upon the masses.  It all seemed so senseless, so much injustice had been wrought on that dark day. The Preacher Man Jesus was innocent of every claim the public declared of Him.  He had done so much good in the short time he had been traveling as He brought health and restoration to lives every place He could.  Every heart He touched was better off for knowing Him. Anyone who talked about Jesus, couldn't help but smile whe

  A Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda  A fter this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.  2  Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep  Gate  a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.  3  In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.  4  For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.  5  Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.  6  When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been  in that condition  a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” 7  The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8  Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”  9  And immediately the man