why i blog...

i was sitting here thinking about how life brings changes (losing a child, losing a job, losing friends, or just changes that aren't comfortable, but not necessarily "bad"), and what kind of effect change can have on us...it can be used for good or for bad, depending on how we deal with it. usually, even if a change seems devastating, it can be used for good and i truly believe that God has a purpose for the changes he allows to take place in our lives even if we can't see it at first. because "all things work together for the good of those who are called according to his purpose"...(may not be an exact quote, but you get the jist)

i was thinking also about how change sometimes brings brokenness, and in order to truly be used by God we have to allow ourselves to be broken and let the shattered pieces fall in to the Potter's hands, so he can mend us and make us what he wants us to be, perfectly usable to reach others through our experiences and downfalls. if we are to truly be broken, the walls we've built up have to also be broken down. the saying "God uses cracked pots" came to mind, from the book by patsy clairmont that i read years and years ago. when i first heard the title of that book (way back when) i thought about cracked pots referring to someone who's "cracked in the head" or going a little crazy, or those who seem a little crazy to those around them (i'm sure i fall into that category sometimes too)...but my thought process today brought me around to thinking about brokenness. i did a search on "cracked pots" and found the blurb from the women of faith site which, when discussing patsy's book, says...

"Picture an empty flower pot with a crack down the middle. Now imagine that pot filled with light and covered. Where does the light shine through? THE CRACK! That's how it works with God."

i thought that was awesome, if we allow God to use us, flaws and all, broken pieces too...his light will shine though us, emphasizing our cracks and flaws, and even so, his power will be revealed in spite of, and because of, our flaws.

another quote i came across in my search for the term "cracked pots" was from another blog talking about how God uses broken things. it said:

"We are all cracked pots. Our brokenness is “mendable” only by the powerful working of God’s matchless grace. Though we sometimes try to hide the cracks, they are still visible. We’d all be better off, in my estimation, if we didn’t try to conceal them at all. In fact, it would probably bless a lot of people if we would be willing to put all our broken dishes on the table, exposing our brokenness to the world. This way all who get close to us can marvel at God’s handiwork in putting us back together. It just might be that when others see how highly valued we are to our loving Father who mends our brokenness, they might get the sense that God cherishes them, as well."

this is exactly why i started blogging in the first place, to be real, put my experiences out there, and to share my heart...good, bad and ugly...whole, cracked or broken... my hope is (and has been) to help others see where i am, where i've been, and where i am going, and it's not always pretty and roses...(and sometimes my life/blog have been just plain unremarkable and boring) but hopefully i can show that God can use anyone, flaws and all, to touch lives and change hearts. because goodness knows, i'm one of the most cracked pots out there, but God is still working in my life and as long as he's still working on me, i'm still able to show others the marvel that is God...using cracked pots.

it's risky, it may even seem a little dumb, but hopefully someone can relate and be reminded that God can use them no matter what has happened in their life too...