If you quit going to church or gave up on prayer or, in some other way, backed away from this whole God thing because you failed in some really spectacular way and you just don’t feel comfortable being around all the “good” people any more, you need to know this story. But if you feel pretty confident about where you are spiritually, if you often think, “Well, at least I didn’t (fill in the blank with whatever sin you haven’t committed)”, then you really need to know this story.
Six centuries ago, a Japanese Shogun named Ashikaga Yoshimasa unwrapped a carefully packaged bundle, eager to see how the craftsmen had mended the cracks in his favorite china bowl. I don’t know the exact word Yoshimasa uttered when he saw the results, but it was something akin to an American expression sometimes used to communicate exasperated disbelief; “Seriously?”
They had melded the cracks with crude metal staples making the repair uglier than the break. So Yoshimasa commissioned some hometown artisans to come up with a more aesthetically pleasing alternative.
They did. They mixed gold dust with ceramic resins to mend the breaks and to highlight, rather than hide, the cracks. They didn’t conceal the imperfections; they celebrated them. The method, called Kintsugi – Japanese for golden joinery – became so popular that many artisans believed people were “accidentally” shattering their pottery so that it could be turned into something even more beautiful than the original.
I cried when I first read that story. I cried again when my wife gave me a piece of Kintsugi pottery for Father’s Day last year. Everything changes when you realize that your brokenness can become beautiful. Nothing is ever the same when you learn that the shattered places in your life can become cause for celebration.
Maybe you know someone whose life appears to be a vast expanse of un-fissured perfection. It isn’t. When people talk about them they say things like, “He has it so together.” He doesn’t. Neither does she. No one . . . not one single person . . . makes it through without a chip, crack or break. You might not be able to see their faults, but they have them. Sometimes, the fractures are so deep beneath the surface that not even the apparently perfect know they’ve been broken.
Centuries before those creative Japanese artisans figured out a way to make broken things beautiful, God was gathering up the slivers of shattered lives, gracefully mending them, turning messes into masterpieces. He isn’t surprised that you are broken. He isn’t intimidated by the immensity of your failure. And he isn’t content to let you try to staple yourself back together.
Perfection is the unicorn of Christian faith. Everybody wants to ride that mythical beast right through the pearly gates. But only one ever has – and he had to go through Hell to do it. Stop striving for it. Stop pretending to possess it. Stop envying those who appear to have mastered it. They haven’t. Besides, God can do more with your failure than you can do in your finest hour.
As one who considers himself a part of your story…..this blog and your message it will bring is something I am glad you have chosen to do. I am humbled to call you friend and brother in Christ.
Absolutely wonderful. Thank you for doing this. You have been and continue to be a blessing to so many.
You have been a blessing to me ever since I first met you way back in 1976, and that blessing continues. Isn’t it interesting that our brokenness can give us insights that our “good” days never can? Thank you for reminding me about what God can do with me, even yet. I’ll look forward to the next installment, and the next, and the next, Lord willing.
So glad that you are continuing to use your God given gift of sharing to encourage us all. Looking forward to receiving each of your messages.
Thank you, Jody. I needed to hear this today. God Bless.
long ago and far away I met you, you have always been a blessing through highs and lows, thank you for continuing to teach me
Love you, Jody. This is perfect. It comes from grace and healing. I’m grateful for you more than you’ll ever know.
So happy to hear your voice – your words have always had such an impression on me. I look forward to your encouragement and being such a blessing to so many!
Thanks for sharing this, brother. I’d never heard of Kintsugi before and the analogy is spot on. I’m looking forward to reading your future posts.
Love you, brother.
this was so inspiring. Miss you and Lisa very much !
Great post, Jody.
As We Travel This Journey Of Life, We Become Part Of People’s Life That Continue To Bless Us And So Many! Remember You As A 10 Year Old, Standing With Your Dad, Leading Songs In Church. You With Your Family Continue To Be Blessings To So Many! Thanks For The Words Of Encouragement You Gave When Jay Passed, And Again Some Years Later! Those Words Continue To Help Walk This Journey! Will Continue To Pray For Peace And Wisdon As We Travel This Journey! Love To You And Lisa!
Excellent read! Thanks for sharing and I am looking forward to future posts. Miss ya big guy.
I’ve been praying you would find a place for your voice again. It seems you have, and I am so glad. This is a great post, a great beginning. I’m glad to see the broken, healed, forgiven, wonderful you sharing your narratives with the world again! Love you and your family more than words can say.
So grateful to hear your voice again! Your message is powerful. Keep speaking! We are hungry for quality messages.
I continue to thank God for using you. Thank you for being His vessel of Good News.
Beautiful words. I love you and miss you my brother.
I love this story! I’m so glad you’re blogging. Love you, friend!
Amen !!!!!!!!!!! still miss you. Love you and Lisa.
Great story! Good to hear from you and look forward to hearing more. Still love ya brother!
Thank you. I’ve always loved listening to you speak & will now enjoy reading what you write.
Great to read your writing my friend. C’mon out to Austin.
From my own personal experiences, I’ve had those cracks and dents in my life. But because of the love and grace of Jesus Christ, He’s mended them. He’s shown me how beautiful I can be. We miss you and Lisa, and hope to be able to play Rook again one day !!
Wonderful message, Jody. Wonderful to hear a message from you again, too. We miss both you and Lisa.
I will look forward to your next post.
Thank you for this. I can just hear your voice as I read it. Kristen has this story framed beside her bed. We all need to hear it. We all can relate. We all need grace. Looking forward to your next entry! We miss you!!
So glad you’re back. We’ve missed hearing your thoughts. “A talent too great to be wasted”. We still love you.
Thanks Jody I really needed to hear this message. I am broken for sure but am a work in progress…
Thank you for sharing . Will look forward to your future writings. Miss seeing you and your family. May you feel the love and support sent your way.
Thank you for sharing your special gift. You are back and better than ever. Let’s hear more!
I’m thankful to see that you’re starting this blog. God has gifted you with great insight and words to inspire. I’ve missed hearing them.
Jody, As I have walked this journey called life I have been privileged to meet and hear a lot of Godly preachers. I have to say you have always given me pause to stop and listen to study more and thirst after Gods word. It is like drinking from a fresh cup of water to read this blog you have written. Thank you so very much.
You and Lisa hold a special place in my heart and I am so excited to see how God will use you next on the road to heaven . Keep writing you will encourage others and glorify God. Thank You!!!!
I heard your voice when reading this! Thanks for writing and can’t wait to read more. Miss you and Lisa.
Jody, it has been a long time but you are just as solid today as you were back then. I will be following you!!
Thank you, friend!
I’m sure Daddy is getting your blog in Heaven. He wouldn’t miss out on a word you had to say. Believe me he’s smiling!! I love your testimony and your heart. What struck me was the sweetness in Lisa’s intentional gift. That’s beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Can’t wait to read more
Wow, what a wonderful story! I had never heard this story about Kintsugi pottery before. I believe this is by far the best analogy of Gods grace I have ever heard. I knew you wear a great preacher but I’m thinking now you may write just as well! Thank you Jodi for sharing this story. If my broken bowl was mended with gold and I was allowed to keep it I would be a Billionaire!
Jody! I am beyond to see you writing on the interwebs! You have been such a special part of my life–I have always struggled with perfectionism and legalism (as I’m sure many who “grow up in the church” do). Your preaching gave me milk and meat in my earliest days as a Christ-follower, and your brokenness has taught me about what it truly means to be a redeemed new creation, made righteous only by Christ. What a beautiful story–the one you blogged ab as well as your own. I’m writing this from China as we adopt our second child. Truly, adoption has taught me that God takes our messiest, most hopeless heartbreaks and turns them into beauty. Praising Him for His faithfulness!
Jody, your words so beautifully spoken and they speak to my heart. I am thankful you continue to “fill our cups”!
Thank you Jody. We are all broken in some way. But by the grace of our Lord, we will be mended.
Thanks for this Jody. You probably know enough of my story to know there are many cracks, some very big, and it is sometimes very difficult to see anything good filling them.
Solid message. Thanks for sharing!
Since the day you left us I have been listening for the church where I could join you for more teaching from God. Never expected it to be the church of technology. I am glad to see technology being used for the Glory of God instead of for the negative we hear on the news. Miss you and your wonderful family. Looking forward to more posts and the great comments from the rest of the techno church.
What a great reminder that God loves us not just in spite of our flaws but because of them. Our flaws are what makes us who we are, and God loves us as we are. It’s His love, healing our sins, that makes us into His masterpieces.
Like everyone else I am beyond happy to see you are writing. You have always had an impact on my faith and I look forward to many more blessings coming down through you. Miss you! Hugs!
I am beyond excited you are back writing and helping spread God’s word. You have meant so much to me and my faith. I cried when you left our church. You have always had such an amazing way with your words. Thank you for coming back and sharing your message.
Perfection is unable to teach. Thank you for letting God use you. I want to hear more! Love you and miss you, old friend.
Seriously, “STOP STRIVING FOR IT” think that is what we are supposed to do. Yes, no one is perfect but Christ, but that is what we are supposed to do strive to be more like Christ!! As close as we can!! You sound like you are a lazy Christian and you want to take others down with you to make yourself fill better. And if others are doing it you won’t be alone. People, please Strive to be more Christ like. Don’t take this advice and the lazy Liberal way out that won’t help you or anyone else at all! Might as well not even try! That is luke warm.
Jody thank you for your post. I look forward to reading the next one! God bless you and Lisa.
Jody, I’m so glad you have “come back into the light” (online)! I’ve missed you and you lovely wife terribly! Please give her a hug from me. Keep up the good work!
Jody, you are an inspiration to many people. We miss your sermons as well as you and your family. We are blessed that our paths have crossed. Please continue writing and looking forward to the next one.
Maybe I will see you on I-85 one day soon.
We are in Melbourne, Florida and will worship with your Brother in law tomorrow.
God bless you and Lisa
Truth. Simple ,beautiful , honest truth. Why is it so difficult for us to understand there is beauty & honesty in brokenness. Always good to hear from you, my brother.
Jody, thank you for teaching God’s word like this. It is a blessings for all of us, to hear/read your messages again. May God continue His blessings on you, Lisa and your family, as you continue serving Him, and all of us. My love and regards to each of you!!!
thanks for that powerful reminder of how God always works in our lives for the good. Glad to “hear” you teaching and sharing again.
Thank you.