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Tattered & Torn

I turn the envelope over and over in my hand and I cannot bring myself to toss it away and move on to the cherished contents.  I set it aside for later and wipe away tears.

 Today I come across it again, it's been moved several time over the last week or so.  Again, I cannot bring myself to toss it.  Standing in the middle of the room, holding this tattered and torn envelope it hits me why I cannot let go.

 This represents a life, lives actually.  Lives that have been through the proverbial wringer this year.  Lives that have been tattered by life. Torn.  I am not privy to all their suffering, it's not my place.  But Oh, how my heart breaks for them.  Aches for them.  Longs for their release from the insanity that life has heaped upon them, the grief.
As I smooth the envelope, taking in its tears and creases, I can't help but ask our Father to likewise, caress their lives with His GRACE.  To fill every gap, smooth every crease over with it.

I return to the precious contents.  And it is steadfast as always, while vulnerably real...  I expected no less.  These lives are authentic.  They are grounded in Christ alone.  And while outwardly their lives seem tattered and torn, inwardly they are being renewed, day by day. They are steadfast in the Grace of God.

 The envelope has become such a great visual for me, that it will stay with me all the days of my life.  Yes, the precious contents bring joy and I will look forward to next year's and the years to come.  But that envelope, it got me.

 That envelope, like a broken pitcher, represents so well what our lives should be.  That no matter how tattered or torn, we carry within us a great treasure, a great hope.  Though outwardly we may be wasting away, inwardly we are renewed day by day.  Therefore, we do not lose heart.

Truly, His Grace IS sufficient.  And His Glory shines through our tatters and tears...
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