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Starr Ayers

God Mends Cracked Pots

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“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18, NIV

The art of kintsugi, which means “golden joinery,” is a Japanese repair process that turns ugly breaks into beautiful fixes. The method goes beyond making a broken piece of china as good as new; it makes it better than new.

Allegedly, the art began when fifteenth-century Japanese shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa broke his favorite tea bowl. Distraught, he sent it to China for repair. When the bowl came back, he was horrified by the ugly metal staples used to join the broken pieces, so he instructed his craftsmen to come up with a more appropriate solution. By adding gold dust to an adhesive resin and filling the cracks with the blend, they not only transformed the broken bowl into a useful vessel but into a beautiful work of art.

Kintsugi proposes that repair can be beautiful. “Not only is there no attempt to hide the damage, but the repair is literally illuminated,” says Christy Bartlett in Flickwerk: The Aesthetics of Mended Japanese Ceramics.

Life has a way of dealing some mighty hard blows—events that not only shatter our hopes and dreams but chip away at our sense of self-worth and purpose. By looking back over some of the most difficult times of my life, I’ve seen that God has counterbalanced my hardships by supplying family and friends to take the role of “Jesus with skin on.” As they lovingly walked alongside me in my brokenness, counseled me, prayed with me, and encouraged me, they hastened my restoration. God used them like gold in my life to fill the cracks of my brokenness and illuminate my darkness.

Don’t hesitate to let others see the cracks in your facade. We’re all earthen vessels in need of repair. When we don’t attempt to hide the damage, broken things can become blessed things—beautiful works of art in the hands of a loving God. If you’re in the midst of a crisis, remember Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted and often uses others to assist him.

Begin the process of your restoration by handing the broken pieces of your life over to God. Then pray and seek someone trustworthy to confide in. Allow them to walk beside you, giving God the opportunity to use them like gold to fill the cracks of your brokenness.

When God does the mending, his repair illuminates our lives, and in time, he’ll use us like gold to fill the cracks of others.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:38, KJV).

Blessings,

Starr

Sing

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“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.”
—Psalm 13:5-6, NIV

The gray days of winter can dampen our spirits, especially when we fail to maintain a healthy focus.

Our North Carolina winters are mild. There are seldom days when people are housebound due to inclement weather. Personally, I’m a homebody and can stay secluded in my home for a week and never develop cabin fever. Thankfully for me staying in is still a choice. I might respond differently if circumstances such as illness, tragedy, or personal loss dictated my actions.

People who suffer from depression in the winter months, a condition referred to as SAD (seasonal affective disorder), can experience anxiety, fatigue, and weight gain. Though the causes, symptoms, and severity of SAD may vary, researchers agree that those who suffer have one thing in common—an acute sensitivity to the lack of light.

Although there are other ways to lessen the effects of SAD, I’ve listed a few below to aid in your return to happiness.

  • Go outside as much as possible. Sunlight generates the production of Vitamin D, the body’s natural antidepressant. If physical circumstances limit your ability to go outside, sit by a window as much as possible or invest in a sun lamp equipped with special fluorescent tubes that mimic the sun’s beneficial rays.
  • Yes, it’s that dreaded eight letter word, but regular exercise is a natural and healthy way to counter feelings of depression. Vigorous exercise releases a hormone called endorphins which elevate your mood and make you feel happy.
  • Avoid coffee. Caffeine can cause you to feel stressed and anxious. Green tea, a natural antidepressant, is a healthy alternative. Loaded with antioxidants and nutrients, it improves brain function, fat loss, and potentially lowers the risk of cancer, Type II Diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Drinking a cup of green tea an hour or so before bedtime will serve as a wholesome sleep aide and relax you.
  • Eat plenty of fruit and fiber. Fruit is also a natural antidepressant. Whole grains, brown rice, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and whole wheat pasta are all good choices as they aid in the release of serotonin, a brain chemical that plays a significant role in mood, anxiety, and happiness.

And lastly…

  • Yes, I said—sing. A 2013 article in Time magazine stated that singing has been scientifically proven to lower stress and relieve anxiety. When we sing our brain releases endorphins and oxytocin, both hormones found to reduce depression. The additional good news is…you don’t have to be a good singer to reap the healthy benefits of singing.

Scripture substantiates the fact that singing is an excellent antidote for depression. In Psalm 42:5, David is in a mental and emotional battle to rise above his negative emotions.

“Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God” (MSG).

David spoke to his soul, reminded himself of the goodness of God and returned to praising him.

I have a dear friend who has a unique way of measuring her level of despondency. Though times in her life may be tough, I will often hear her say, “But the little bird in my heart is still singing.”

Is the little bird in your heart singing today? If not, help him out. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord and watch your spirits soar.

Praising Him,

Starr

O Give Thanks

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“O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.”
Psalm 107:1–2, KJV

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March is the time of year when the hard ground of winter gives way to the flowers of spring. But this past March, yellow buttercups weren’t the only thing popping up in yards all around our county. You didn’t need to travel far from your door to see yellow “Thank You, Jesus” signs dotting the landscape. Some signs even took root across state lines.

The bright yellow-sunrise sign with black letters was the brainchild of a sixteen-year-old boy in our area who was quick to give God the glory for the outcome of his idea. With the help of a fellow church member, his vision soon became a reality.

What issued as an expression of gratitude from a single heart at Easter has expanded into multitudes of year-round displays of thanksgiving. Nobody wants to take down their signs. And why should they? Shouldn’t gratitude be the attitude of our hearts every day?

Researchers say that optimism boosts our immune systems and that thankful people deal with stress better. Their rewards are improved health and longer lives. Even Oprah agrees it’s good to be thankful. She began encouraging others to keep gratitude journals years ago.

Despite this, grab-it-tude appears to be the attitude that prevails. Our society has adopted an entitlement mentality. We’ve exchanged counting our blessings for making perpetual wish lists. Some people even spend their Thanksgivings camped out in department store parking lots, anticipating Black Friday’s rock-bottom prices. Making a wise investment is good, but pouncing on the season’s hottest item while wrestling a contender to the floor only makes good fodder for the evening news.

Luke 17 gives an account of ten lepers who encountered Jesus and begged for his mercy. Through acts of obedience to his command all of the lepers were healed, but only one of them returned to express his gratitude. When he threw himself at Jesus’s feet and thanked him, Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?”

There are many ways to display our gratitude. We may choose to post a sign in our yard or we may not. But one thing is true: an attitude of gratitude will always be obvious. Scripture tells us that out of the abundance of our hearts the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).

Few give God the honor and the glory he is due. Will you be one who returns to say thank you to Jesus? Will I?

“Let the redeemed of the Lord, say so.”

-Starr Ayers