This past weekend I attended Refine Retreat hosted by Kris Camealy in Ohio. Friday night Kris opened the retreat with a lovely photo of open hands and told us to expect the unexpected.
Truthfully, I had no expectations. I knew I was tired and wanted to rest. Kris had built plenty of personal time into the schedule. It worked well for me.
We talked about brokenness and shame. How shame can be like “duct tape that binds us up and keeps us from living.”
I can’t begin to process it all in these first couple of days, but one thing that stood out was that Jesus will take our brokenness.
Jesus will take our shame.
He will cover it with his blood and redeem us.
Our cracks will be filled and we will be redeemed.
On Saturday afternoon there was an art journaling session. This beautiful piece of art was created by Annie Barnett, one of the attendees. She explained to us about the Japanese art of Kintsugi. How broken pottery is repaired with gold and them becomes more valuable after the repair.
As humans, we want to hide our flaws. Not only from ourselves and others, but sometimes I want to hide mine from Jesus too. Like he can’t see them! Yet, he created us. He created ALL of us…even our flaws.
Jesus sees the beauty in us. He sees the beauty even in our brokenness. Maybe in spite of our brokenness. Or because of our brokenness?
I don’t have the deep answer, but I know I am loved. And while I am not flawless, I am being redeemed on a daily basis through the refining process of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
And you are loved. And if you know Jesus, then you are also being redeemed.
Music for the weekend was provided by Christa Wells and Nicole Witt. There album More Than Rubies has a beautiful song called Image of God. The song speaks to our brokenness.
Our brokenness…our pieces…our fragments…our discoloration…all brought to Jesus and he makes us His.
His – in His image.
His – in His time.
His – in His way.
Lord, may be embrace the fragments and pieces of our lives that make us yours.
May we learn to accept that refining is a process and takes time.
There is much more that I need to process and want to share. Teri Lynne Underwood was also a speaker at the retreat. If you have not met her or do not read her blog, run…don’t walk to check her out! More on what she had to say later. But as a teaser…Rest is a blessing, but what if the gift of rest is what we give, not what we receive? You can also read more about the weekend from Laura’s perspective.
May our day be filled with unexpected blessings that remind us
that there is beauty in our broken places.
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I'm so glad you had a beneficial trip, Mary! I knew you would.
This really speaks to me today: "How broken pottery is repaired with gold and then becomes more valuable after the repair." I'll have to think on that. Even MORE valuable. Wow.
Oh, friend….if you only knew how deeply your words touched me. There is no way for me to put into words how you reached in and hugged my heart. thank you!
I'm glad it was such a good retreat for you. It sounds like it was wonderful. The message about beauty in the broken is such a powerful one that we all need to be reminded of.
Mary, I'm so glad you included the video of that song. The music was such a sweet place for me. And when you sang to us? So beautiful and precious. One of my favorite moments from the weekend. I'll never forget it. Love to you, lady.
Dear Laura, what a precious gift it was to me to get to spend time with you! Image of God was a perfect song for me to encounter! And the song I sang…well, that was ALL God, not me. So glad it was meaningful to you.
Wow, I am so thankful you got to go, and be refreshed at Refine. I want to position my heart to receive the unexpected blessings from God that He has for me!
So thankful you came, Mary. I know without question God gave you what only He knew you needed. I can't stop praising Him for that. Love you!!
He did, Kris! YES! He did. I am so thankful you walked this faith walk!
I'm so glad you had a beneficial trip, Mary! I knew you would.
This really speaks to me today: "How broken pottery is repaired with gold and then becomes more valuable after the repair."
I'll have to think on that. Even MORE valuable. Wow.
I know, Lisa…more valuable. It makes me think too.
My precious friend … how I love you! I am praying for you still … for rest and healing. Your hugs and words and presence were gifts to me.
Oh, friend….if you only knew how deeply your words touched me. There is no way for me to put into words how you reached in and hugged my heart. thank you!
xo
seriously
Yes!
Loved meeting you this weekend, Mary. Your song was one of my favorite parts of the weekend!
Elizabeth, it was so nice meeting you too! I've been praying for your daughter.
I'm glad it was such a good retreat for you. It sounds like it was wonderful. The message about beauty in the broken is such a powerful one that we all need to be reminded of.
Oh, Kathleen, it was SO wonderful. I'm so glad I went.
Mary, I'm so glad you included the video of that song. The music was such a sweet place for me. And when you sang to us? So beautiful and precious. One of my favorite moments from the weekend. I'll never forget it. Love to you, lady.
Dear Laura, what a precious gift it was to me to get to spend time with you! Image of God was a perfect song for me to encounter! And the song I sang…well, that was ALL God, not me. So glad it was meaningful to you.
Wow, I am so thankful you got to go, and be refreshed at Refine. I want to position my heart to receive the unexpected blessings from God that He has for me!