Mosaic Masterpiece
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.
Don’t you love the unique designs of mosaic art? I do. I especially love the glass design of the Air Force Academy church in Colorado Springs. I love to decorative with mosaics. Candle holders, a toothbrush holder and a small end table I made with my dad years ago. Making that table taught me a lesson about the beauty of brokenness.
From a variety of different colored marble tiles, I enjoyed using a hammer and smashing perfect, square or rectangular tiles into small jagged pieces. I even repeated the breaking process to make some shapes smaller. Sometimes tile chunks flew off the worktable. My dad taught me to cover my work with a towel prior to hammering. Why didn’t I think of that? After all the pieces were broken, I arranged and rearranged them until they were just right and then I glued them into position. Afterwards, I felt such satisfaction knowing I made something beautiful out of broken pieces. (Thanks for teaching me, Dad.)
This experience left a visual in my mind about brokenness. My brokenness is part of God’s mosaic design. He knows the pieces of my life that have felt the sting of a hammer. I thank God he doesn’t just leave me torn apart. In his love and mercy, he picks up my pieces and sets each one rough piece into his design for my life. His creativity stuns me. He wastes nothing. I see how God is now using my broken life to offer healing and redemption to others. What a gift of love!
God is drawn towards the broken in spirit. The book of James and 1 Peter repeat the same phrase, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” What hope for us who are living and still broken. We can surrender our pride and crumble into pieces before God’s throne of grace. There our Heavenly Father tenderly reshapes us into his perfect design.
After creating one small piece myself, I know how difficult making a design is. I tried making small flowers on my table, but gave up after numerous attempts that looked just okay. Creating a beautiful design takes discipline and dedication. I thank God his dedication never fails. He will finish the good work he has started. That is a promise. Philippians 1:6.
To all who feel broken: Remember God’s plan for your shattered pieces; he is making a masterpiece.
A broken masterpiece, yes.
But broken–and beautiful!
This is a great post Tiffany! Isn’t God awesome the way he makes and molds us over time? He uses the broken situations in our lives to teach us. I’d love to see some of your work btw 🙂
WHat a beautiful post!! And as I was reading it, I was thinking that although we may have some broken pieces, I think God does wrap His towel around us, much like your dad taught you to wrap the towel around your work to prevent lost pieces.
Tiffany…
I would have loved to see a picture of your handiwork! You’ve given me a great idea of a project I might want to do this summer regarding my own masterpiece and all the broken pieces that have made my life picture what it is. After 42 years of living, I’m finally have the gift of perspective, being able to see how much of brokenness has brought to the place I am today. May God use it all for his glory as only he can.
peace~elaine
So very beautiful my friend.
I’m glad God doesn’t try to break all of our troubled spots at once! 🙂 Thanks for the post, Tiffany!
As usual your pictures are a beautiful display window.
I have felt the brokenness and the shattered pieces…. But
what He puts back together is so much lovelier than what
was there before. He must wound us in order to heal us.
Loved this!
Hugs,
Julie
Beautiful! Stained glass – what we might become….beautiful word picture.
Thank you!
Loved this post (as always).
The Lord has had me on the same thoughts since Wednesday. I was deeply moved by some music by Point of Grace and Nichole Nordeman I bought. The Lord brought to my mind the word mosaic and I started writing thoughts about brokenness. The thoughts keep coming and the word keeps standing out. I think He’s leading me to write a new Bible study for the fall using this theme.
I love having a sister in Christ to walk the path with!
Tiffany,
I loved this! What a beautiful illustration of what God does with our brokenness. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Tracy
Broken and beautiful…what a terrific illustration!
Tiffany,
My brokenness is part of God’s mosaic design. Girl, this is so poinant and true. Powerful reflection today. Praising the Lord that He waists nothing. All will be used and redeemed. Wonderful.