Mint Condition

Broken.  Shattered into jagged fragments.  A resin fleur-de-lis now sits on our kitchen counter in broken pieces, awaiting repair.  We had an earthquake.  Not the kind produced by colliding tectonic plates (although, we had one of those last week, too).  This was a boiled-over-the-rim, reached-my-last-fuse, slamming-doors kind of Mama Earthquake.  The destruction included crying daughters, a regretful mama, and the shattered fleur-de-lis.

To begin defending my gross display of fury, allow me to preface with the following... Our whole family has been sick for the last week.  Snotty noses, sore throats, and congestion-filled heads even cancelled our travel plans over the weekend.  The house is two three weeks dirty, laundry gets done whenever the spit-up stained, pee-soaked garments jump themselves into the washing machine, and hand-washing the mound of dishes in the sink is frequently required, since the dishwasher remains full and because our cabinets are a smidge bare.  In addition to this mess of a house, I have also been juggling homeschooling our oldest and my own homework (remind me why I thought an accounting degree would be...fun?  Anyone?), all the while my husband's nearing military separation leaves our immediate future a little uncertain.  So, now that you have read the above, I get a pass, right?

Have you ever broken something that you refuse to throw in the trash?  Maybe it was a memory-filled keepsake passed down generations or something your husband bought on your first date or an awkwardly beautiful piece of art from your kindergartner.  This particular, broken decoration is minimally significant to me, except that I have a slight fleur-de-lis obsession...and that throwing it away would suggest defeat.  Tossing the fragments into the trashcan, leaving bare wall-space, would imply a deflated mama's spirit and an overpowering Enemy's stronghold.  Mending the resin piece and returning it to its position on the wall will signify second chances, lessons learned, and heavenly grace that is never-ending.

Super Glue can surely help to remedy an array of household mishaps (I think my mom earned majority share-holder status in the nineties with two sons at home).  Repaired decorations are no longer in mint condition, though, and may even lose value, if the mending is not meticulously conducted.  There are usually dried glue beads and misaligned angles reminding the culprits of their mistakes.  Memories of indoor soccer games or dodgeball may provide enjoyable reminiscing, while other memories are not as pleasant and foster regret.

The glued-together fleur-de-lis will be a recurrent reminder of my Mama Earthquake, but our Father's overflowing grace and forgiveness repair me to mint condition.  Mama, do not let yourself relive past mistakes and regretful decisions, while Jesus offered all of humanity redemption at the cross.  Do not abandon even the smallest, broken bit of yourself, while the Healer sees perfection in His daughter.  We may not be capable of reversing the damage we cause in life, but Jesus renews us and our Father loves us, in spite of our dried glue beads and misaligned angles.

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace..."
Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)