Pieces

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Isaiah 43:1-3 (NIV)

Today, I had a lot on my to do list. Clean the house, do laundry, wash dishes, balance the checkbook, fix dinner for company. But, the one thing I really wanted to do was to make a green bowl. I’ve learned to fuse two pieces of glass together, one translucent and one clear to make a base. Then, using clear glass, I cut a pattern and tack fuse it onto the colored base. Although the glass stays one color, the pattern shows through the glass like a shadow. When that is complete, the glass can be slumped into a bowl or remain flat and be displayed in a stand. John had a piece in his shop that was blue with leaves and vines on it. Eventually, I want to make one like that, but right now, I have this design in my head that will be green with circles of varying size like bubbles on it. So, last week, I went to our local glass shop and paid way too much for a large piece of spring green glass. I know after spending time with John, that I am being overcharged at our local glass shop, but they were having a sale which helped matters. Until I can figure out if the cost of shipping to buy it from John will be cost prohibitive, I am stuck buying local anyway. Today, after church and after putting supper in the crock-pot, dusting and scrubbing the living room and the floors, I ran out to the garage to cut a circle of that lovely green glass and prepare it for the kiln. Because the piece was so large, I couldn’t fit it on my workbench so set up a folding table to cut it on. As soon as I made my first score, the glass shattered into pieces. The table was not flat, but slightly curved, just enough for the pressure of my cutter to crack the glass. That huge section of glass is now small shards, and my dream of a green bowl is in pieces as well. I wanted to cry. I can use those bits for something else and in fact, the way it cracked in waves will make an interesting design. But, that isn’t what I planned for that glass. I found another green, this piece an iridescent and after adding a board to stiffen the table, cut it into a circle for a bowl. It isn’t what I intended to use it for, but it will be fine. I was thinking of that mishap and how it is so much like my life. I have things in my life that I regret. Things I wish I had done differently and some things of which I am ashamed. When I find myself dwelling on them, I have to remind myself that all is forgiven. I have been given a fresh start. That’s the meaning of redemption, a chance to take something broken and turn it into something beautiful.

I heard this song today by a band called, Tenth Avenue North. It is called You Are More. I think it fits here.

There’s a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she’s wandered
And the shame she can’t hide
She says, “How did I get here?
I’m not who I once was.
And I’m crippled by the fear
That I’ve fallen too far to love”
But don’t you know who you are,
What’s been done for you?
Yeah don’t you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade.
Well she tries to believe it
That she’s been given new life
But she can’t shake the feeling
That it’s not true tonight
She knows all the answers
And she’s rehearsed all the lines
And so she’ll try to do better
But then she’s too weak to try
But don’t you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade.
You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade.
‘Cause this is not about what you’ve done,
But what’s been done for you.
This is not about where you’ve been,
But where your brokenness brings you to
This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.
You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade.
You are more than the choices that you’ve made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You’ve been remade.
You’ve been remade
You’ve been remade.
You’ve been remade.
You’ve been remade.