Do you know about kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pots with gold? The underlying philosophy is that scars are history, to be honoured.
Are our scars somehow transfigured in gold...and is this how we will recognize one another in heaven?
Is it just possible that as Christ was wounded for us, our wounds are our offering to Him, when we let Him highlight them in pride? (Possible is the Five Minute Friday prompt this week.)
The pot is cracked and badly broke;
no wonder, it's so old,
but then the quiet craftsman spoke:
“I'll fix the thing with gold,
and though it will not look as new,
that can't be my repair,
but when I'm done I think that you
may yet find beauty there,
in scars whose trace is now a-shine
in sun's reflected light;
no need to thank, the honour's mine,
and so is the delight
in taking what is thrown away
to see, with love, another day.”
Instead of a music video, here's the Resurrection scene from The Passion of the Christ. (Click here if your device doesn't load the video.)
nicely written sir
ReplyDeleteAnnette, thank you so much! It was a challenge...I am so glad you like it!
DeleteYes! Kintsugi is such an amazing concept - especially when we apply it to healing and God's work in us.
ReplyDeleteWe come to God in bits but He takes all of it and makes us whole with gold.
Liz, I love how you put this..."We come to God in bits but He takes all of it and makes us whole with gold."
DeleteBravo!
Beautiful Andrew!
ReplyDeleteMay your broken life reveal the gold!
Fiona, thank you so much!
DeleteAnother beautiful inspiration from the heart, Andrew. Thank you always!
ReplyDeleteKaren
Karen, thank YOU!
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like this, Grams!
DeleteWonderful!! Deirdre FMF #12
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deirdre, for this affirmation!
DeleteI am covered in gold. HA! I'm a cracked pot!
ReplyDeleteCracked pots...you and me both, Susan!
DeleteI've read a book called Kintsugi, so I'm familiar with the concept. Your words are so beautifully written. God does take our brokenness and make something new with it!
ReplyDeleteCorinne, thank you for this...He does indeed use our broken-ness so that we may shine!
DeleteSo true,Andrew. Our scars are what really tell the story of what God has done for us. They are the reminder that we made it through. Thanks as always for your insights.
ReplyDeleteDuane, perfectly said..."Our scars are what really tell the story of what God has done for us."
DeleteWell done!
Love it! I had an English teacher who wanted to write a book about people's scars. Let's be honest, the scars are usually where the best stories are.
ReplyDeleteAmie, FMF #30
Amie, that's so true, that in the scars lie the best stories...thank you for this!
DeleteAnd some of us have more scars than other ... and they're still tender to the touch, aren't they.
ReplyDeleteLinda, yes...some scars are still tender to the touch...and isn't gold one of the softer metals?
DeleteThank you for sharing this -- and this visual. Sending love and support to you and Barb.
ReplyDeletePaula, thank you for your kind words, for your love and support...they mean so much!
DeleteI love that.
ReplyDeleteAshley, I'm so delighted that you love this! Thank you for letting me know!
DeleteNot only do I believe that is possible - but I've seen it to be true in my own life and even more in so many others. God uses the scars and broken bits - filled with gold - to reflect His image and give Him glory!!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I think that when our eyes are open to see the beauty that God can make of scars...the world is never the same for us.
DeleteA poem on one of my very favorite visuals - kintsugi! One of the things I love about kintsugi is that the bowl becomes stronger than before - and more valuable! So with God's kintsugi on my broken soul - He makes it stronger and more valuable than before it was broken! That is an overwhelming Hallelujah idea!
ReplyDeleteBlue Cotton memory, yes...when we give our scars over to God, not for elimination but for gilding...we become stronger, and reflect the value He places in each one of us.
DeleteLove the way you put it!
Andrew, this is beautiful. I know that God makes all scars beautiful in His time. Kintsugi is such an amazing process of transforming the broken into beautiful. I love your poem, my friend. I'm praying for you.
ReplyDeleteJeanne, I am so glad you like this...
DeleteThere is more to come, another near-death experience that simply overwhelmed me, last Sunday. It will be described in tomnight's FMF post.
Such a beautiful truth in these words. It is amazing how many days we keep waking up. Prayers continue for you.
ReplyDeleteMary, thank you for this affirmation...it is amazing to keep waking up!
DeleteAnd thank you so much for your prayers.
Hi Andrew, Love the post and glad to learn about kintsugy. Nice to find you on the #TellHisStory linkup this week.
ReplyDeleteSuzette, I'm so glad you like this! I try to get to #TellHisStory each week; it's a cool place.
Delete