Mosaics, Diversity, & Pure Humanity

Have you ever created a mosaic? 

Years ago, I was a Girl Scout.  And I BELIEVE this is where I first created a mosaic (Mom will correct me if I'm wrong).  But here's how it goes when you don't have the mosaic kits handy.

Smash some stuff.  Pound some stuff. And I mean hard.  Mosaics require THICKER pieces of glass and ceramics.  Which means that it takes sometimes a great deal of force for them to break.   And don't just rely on stuff that's the same...like all of just one set of plates or something.  The most beautiful mosaics often have color and design.  Diversity in the broken pieces is encouraged. 

Find the pieces you can use.  Be careful though - brokenness often has sharp edges and shards.  At times, you'll have pieces that you REALLY want to hold on to for the mosaic.  But if they are too small, that's okay.  Let them go.  There are plenty of other pieces you'll be able to use. 

Start creating.  Step back every now and then and see how things are going when you're not right on top of it.  Ask for advice from fellow artists on how to piece them together, especially the pieces you're not sure are even worthwhile.   Do not judge yourself at how long it takes to create.  An artist's work takes diligence.  It takes effort to finish a project.  (I won't tell you how many art projects I've started over the years and thrown away unfinished - but a mosaic is made from brokenness.) 

Sometimes we start creating and a new design develops.  Go with it. 

Sometimes we start creating and we must break more or receive more broken pieces before continuing. 

Sometimes we start creating and get discouraged - reach out to your fellow artists.  For we are all a mosaic.

To You, Mosaics in Progress, 

We are smashed.  We are pounded.  Even when we think we have thick skin and can handle it, we break.  We have great diversity, but yet the diversity in our brokenness and diversity in our style, shape, color - these are beautiful when put together.  Some of our brokenness, we just have to release. But even our oddly shaped pieces of brokenness can be used in the whole of who we are and who our community is.  Beware of your sharp edges as much as you seem more aware of the shards of others.  Take care to notice how you piece yourself together and how you relate to others around you.  But good heavens, start creating.  Do something with your brokenness and allow others to help piece you together too. The inner artist in you?  The God who created all of creation (Don't you love Autumn!), lives within you.  Don't disregard your gut.  Stop judging yourself when you do not match another's timeline.  All of our pieces are different and take differing care.  But it does take diligence.  To notice.  To work.  To reach out.  

But you - you are beautiful.  Your brokenness - it can create a masterpiece.  And just when you think you are finished, you'll be handed more broken pieces or asked to help someone else piece themselves.  And maybe - just maybe - if we're all working on our masterpieces, we can acknowledge the grandiosity of diversity and just how beautiful some broken humans can be when we come together.   

Love, 

A Mosaic in Progress 

Frickin' Detours

Be real with me - I KNOW you've done it...Ever just asked God to give you a sign? 

Today, I drove to Nashville, TN, for a conference.  So, like most - I plugged the address into Siri Maps and started following the directions.  It was simple.  Except, right off the bat, my directions took me straight for a road closure.  DANG ITTTTT. 


Detour signs.  Great.  Follow the detour signs.  But, the Maps app went crazy - "Make a u-turn and proceed to the route."  Over, and over, and over.  It wanted me to route back.  It wanted me to go around the block.  It even tried to take me to a different exit up the road where it was STILL closed. 

It was NOT easy hearing its repetitiveness in attempts while following the detour signs.  It went blabbing on about proceeding to the route while I was conscientiously trying to follow the detour signs taking me in the opposite way! 


How often do we encounter this struggle though?  We know where we are headed and what God has called us to do.  But, the route we thought we'd take (ya know, the quick and convenient one) is closed.  So, we get discouraged.  Sometimes, some of us totally give up.  "Well, I guess it wasn't meant to be."  Others of us start following the detour signs to route us around the mess.  However, it can be so hard to follow the signs with all the other voices - media, expectations of others, distractions, our own expectations, etc.  Sometimes, we give in there.  "That seems like it'll get me there faster....let's try it."  Or sometimes, we give into our own stubbornness or well-meaning nostalgia.  "Well that's not working, so I'll just do it my way" or "It worked before."  (Any of ya driven on a closed road or bridge that's worked before?)

I truly wonder how many of us (myself included) miss cool, historic buildings and innovative, soul-crushing graffiti because we're not following the detour conscientiously. 

Ever noticed how a detour isn't all mapped out right at the beginning?  You literally just drive until you see the next sign to turn or a nice affirmation to continue straight.  You follow the signs because you know 100% that you'll get where you need to be.  SO, why are we so resistant to follow the detours in our lives?  Why do we doubt God's desire to get us where we need to be?!  Why are we so set on knowing exactly how we will reach the end goal that we forget to enjoy the journey?  What are we missing in the midst of our anxiety in the uncertainty of every twist and turn?  Why does it take so much convincing on God's part that God remains present? 

Oh - and just because the detour is mapped out step-by-step does not mean that it is all easy?!  It may still take us to uncomfy places, unexpected stops (like a train), or add time that wasn't planned.  BUT, the need for a detour in your life does not mean that it will put ya off track totally.  It just makes you more reliant on God with a greater appreciation for the turn-by-turn signs in our lives. 

So, where are you headed so anxiously?  What are you missing in the meantime?  Where is God? 

Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT)
"Show me the right path, O Lord; 
point out the road for me to follow. 
Lead me by your truth and teach me, 
for you are the God who saves me. 
All day long I put my hope in you." 

Humanity Unshakable

Wednesday, we entered into the season of Lent, a time for self-examination, reflection, and repentance (or to turn from one's ways). As usual, I too attended an Ash Wednesday service.  I watched as a child, probably five or six, received the ashes in the shape of a cross on the back of her hand.  As she walked away, she shook her hand, as if to shake them off, looking back at her hand to see they were still there.  Tears welled in my eyes.  

Humanity is unshakable.  

Ecclesiastes tells us, there is a time to live and a time to die (3:2). Our humanity encompasses both living and dying.  Both are part of who we are as human.  Most of us have experienced the grief as we said goodbye to a loved one.  The reality can be overwhelming at the time and when we look back to remember.  

This child is already learning the reality of her humanity.  Her time is limited. From dust she came and to dust she will return.  

For it is the same with us all.  Our time is limited.  We are human.  From dust we came and to dust we will return.  

What will you do with the time you have?  For our humanity is unshakable.  

Are there places in your life that you wish to change?  Now is the time. 

Are there people with whom you need to repair a relationship?  Now is the time.  

Are there hurts, habits, and hang ups that need to be addressed? Now is the time. 

For our time is limited.  Humanity is unshakable.