Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Bookends (01/30/14)
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TITLE: Strong and Steady | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lois Farrow
02/06/14 -
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They are in the shape of birds, a pair facing inwards with their heads turned to the front looking right at me with their black beady eyes set in opaque whiteness. Each bird stands on a square block. The flat edge of the base and the breast of each bird together support the books. A long flowing tail spreads out behind all the way to the bottom of the base.
The marble is smooth and white but not a clear sparkling white, it looks dull and dirty. Smudges of grey are embedded in random places, giving colour to each bird. So they are not pure white doves, but not seagulls either. It could be any bird.
One bird has his beak broken right off. I have no idea how or when that happened. These bookends belonged to my mother-in-law long ago and I have no idea of their history. I wish I knew. How old are they? Did she buy them because she liked them, or were they passed down through the family? Why didn’t I ask her more while she was alive?
In many ways, they remind me of the Christian life. We are not perfect and sometimes we appear smudgy and broken. But God can still use us if we are in his hands. He can place us where he will and our job in that place is to function as he designed. It may be as an object of beauty as we reflect his design and purpose. It may be to stand still and be a supporter and encourager of those he places alongside us. Who has God brought into your life who needs your support to stand in the difficulties they are facing? The strength of the base is like our foundation, God’s strength. The breast of the bird reminds me of God’s heart beating for those he loves.
We have many questions. Perhaps we query our past and wish we weren’t so broken. But God is a master repairer. He heals the broken heart. He washes white as snow. He loves us as we are and can still use flawed people.
Perhaps we would rather be rushing around doing all sorts of work for God’s kingdom. For some people that is God’s plan, but for some it is to stand still and just ‘be’.
Trust him with your life. Trust him with where he has placed you, and do what you were designed to do – bring glory to God our maker wherever we are.
Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made me secure. Psalm 16:5
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Thanks for your kind reminder of the love of our God toward His people. Thanks too for reminding us we are all different and that's okay with Him...He made us that way.
God bless~