Broken Glass

Wandering a trackless beach with the sound of reef-softened waves gently rolling ashore is wondrous.  Sight, sound, the salty smell of the ocean, and the feel of sand pressing between toes interweave to create a deep and unforgettable footprint in our memory.  As we walk— on one hand rests a vast rolling blue blanket of uncertainty, and on the other a world of shades-of-green assurances.

When I walk along the beach I like to look for sea glass.  Sea glass is the ocean-dulled fragments of glass bottles that break and tumble amidst a watery grave.  Eventually, each piece may emerge on some distant shore.  They can be clear, opaque, of various greens, brown, blue, or black.  Some come ashore as tiny remnants of their former selves, while others strongly evoke memories of their previous function.  While combing the beach for these unique seashore treasures I’ve thought about their creation and shaping.  It was during one such reflective stroll that God illuminated these precious jewels in a new light; that is, that we are like pieces of broken sea glass.

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.  Romans 5:12

In the beginning we were whole and perfect; made to hold an intimate relationship with the Creator.  We fell and were broken.  In the dark places we searched for purpose; we searched for wholeness; but were lost.  While mired in the muck, God sent us his Son.  He gave us Himself.  Through Christ’s atonement we were stirred, freed, and lifted from the depths so that we might become whole and perfect again. 

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Hebrews 10:22

God pierces the shadows of darkness, pulling us towards Him.  He holds us in His hands and polishes us, removing our sharp edges and shaping us toward His will and perfect plan.  In both flux and fidelity, we tumble in struggle between the spirit, soul, and flesh. 

He is unmovable and almighty; like a wall of rock that waves shatter against in violent explosions of rainbow mists.  He is merciful, generous, and gracious; like quiet waters sifting over silken sands.  He is the lion and the lamb. 

Called, we press forward…and at times dismayed and discouraged, we retreat…but He is undeniable.  Finally, we seize faith and surge forward onto Golden shores.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:35

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

                                Romans 8:37-39

Still, some pieces of sea glass are too sharp and jagged.  They retain too much of their brokenness and their edges have not been suitably rounded and eroded. Held in hand or left on the beach these broken shards are not ready for harvesting.  So they are cast back into the sea.

“Your hands shaped me and made me.  Will you now turn and destroy me?  Remember that you molded me like clay.  Will you now turn me to dust again? 

Job 10:8-9

This act is not so much one of rejection but more as a deliberate investment towards change and a future.  The knowledge and hope is that those pieces will return to the shore ready to be collected.  Salvation can be like this.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

And so it is that we are like broken glass…sea glass.  Jagged shards who our heavenly Father refines and trains through loving discipline.  Once lost but now found…once broken but now redeemed; bright shining like the sun.  Delivered, we stand upon sands of “faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life” (Titus 1:2a), basking in His glory and ready for His harvest. 

Greetings from La Isla de Santa Elena,

Much has happened since my last letter.  Recently our team spent the weekend on Roatan— our first ‘down-island’ trip since coming to Helene on March 17^th.  The change of pace and scenery was a tremendous blessing…regardless of the availability of running water and electricity (an outage left us without power for about six hours).  During our weekend getaway I drifted in and out from an afternoon siesta with ESPN ambiance in the background.  Later that night I shared a whole grilled-grouper with a fellow missionary.  I also purchased the best island shirt ever— for 180 Lempira (less than $10!).  Our weekend was concluded with RChurch followed by a water-soaked, teeth-rattling and tailbone jarring return boat trip to Helene.  

School began on Monday and our ready and willing students clamored to our open doors.  My class currently consists of sixteen fourth, fifth and sixth grade students—who range from ages nine to fifteen.  That’s an age spread reminiscent of my Ridgway, Colorado Voyager Youth Program days!  Those experiences are proving valuable once again as I create lesson plans for a very diverse group of learners including one Deaf student!  God has been wonderfully creative in His careful attention to my life’s plan and how it is constantly preparing me for His next calling!

My students are an eclectic mish-mash of beautiful island children and I am eager to know them each better.  I ask for your continued prayers of support for me, my students, and fellow teachers.  Their names are:

Bradley

Dominick

Hasnie

Kiera

Prentes

Raisa

Ryan

Saymon

Tammarie

Trisianie

Junior

Karen

Odelle

Reymack

Shavanie

Shorna

Teachers and Teacher Assistants:

Ms. Sheila

Ms. Amalia

Ms. Dola

Ms. Darby

Ms. Kiera

Ms. Marian

Ms. Shanna

Be well and God bless!