Broken Vessels Redeemed

I heard a song in the car yesterday-- 

yes, I did 

ACTUALLY LEAVE MY 

HOUSE ALONE :-)

 while on the way to the doctor's office-- 

anyway, I digress...

It is a song that I have heard many, many times, but that day, it made more of an impression.  It is the song, 

"Bless the Broken Road" 

by Rascal Flatts.

Listening to this song, I thought about my own broken road and felt that perhaps I should share my thoughts on that so I hope that you are encouraged by them.

"Bless The Broken Road"
I set out on a narrow way, many years ago
Hoping I would find true love, along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign, pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were just northern stars
Pointing me on my way, into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That lead me straight to you

I think about the years I spent, just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost, and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan, that is coming true

Every long lost dream, lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were just northern stars
Pointing me on my way, into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That lead me straight to you

Now I'm just rolling home
Into your loving arms
This much I know, is true
That God blessed the broken road
That lead me straight to you
Yes, God blessed the broken road
That lead me straight to you

This version was recorded by Selah and it was aired on "His Radio" 100.5 in Charleston. Here is just one of many, many video versions I saw on You Tube.

This song has many interpretations. It is played a lot at weddings and sung in churches.

 For me, it is a great musical picture of the journey so many people take in life. 

A journey where we assume control and try to manage without really relying on Christ to guide our days and our decisions. (Some like my new sons, because they have never heard about Jesus' love and others because they feel they don't need it.)

A journey where we fall- over and over again- (boy, have I fallen in my life!) because much to our dismay, we are not in control. We never. have. been.

It is hard to hear this song and not think of all the mistakes, the poor choices, the selfish decisions that you have made, all the people that have hurt us and those whom we have hurt, and yet, it is a song of hope. 

A reminder that God can and does redeem lives. He can redeem our mistakes and can heal the hurts that we have experienced and thankfully, he can redeem the hurts we have caused. 

The Lord has been working in my life this past year in a way that I have never felt before. Of course, our adoptions have been a big part of that, but it has been more than that. 

More than just opening my eyes to the incredible need that surrounds us. 

More than showing me that one person can make a positive impact for the cause of Christ.

More than reminding me that caring for orphans and widows is not a calling or an option, but the pure definition of true religion.

Through our adoption journey, through financial struggles, through the relationships we've fostered this year, through some unbelievable books like "Crazy Love" and "Radical", and through the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, I now see that God WANTS to use this imperfect, impatient, perfectly flawed and broken vessel. 

Of course I want to be perfect. (Doesn't everyone?) I want to be thin and beautiful and smart and charming and honest and loving and....

But I am not. 

I am broken and selfish and apart from Christ I can do nothing. And perhaps that is the point. Don't you think?

I am learning that the socially acceptable, American Christian is NOT what God wants. In fact, that thing, that person I just described, that person that I was for decades, makes God weep!  

So what does He want?  

What does He deserve?  

Full devotion and dependence. 

Not just behavior that appears good or thankful or "worthy", but complete devotion and the willingness to allow Him to lead and to provide.  

He wants us to trust and obey. 

(How many of us sang that simple song as children?)  

I know that God has "blessed" or "redeemed" my broken road and continues to make me uncomfortable with my sin and my selfishness so that He can finish the work that He has started in me.  I pray that you would allow Him to do the same in your life!

God Bless,

Angie