The Artisan

He walked with purpose along the beach
hunting for fragments of glass
the waves had tossed up on the shore.
He would stoop here and there
to pick up a broken piece
and put it carefully in his drawstring bag.
He was in no hurry
searching out the smallest
shattered shards.
Satisfied he had found all the pieces
he took his bag of precious fragments
back to his workshop.
Surrounded by shining
translucent works of art
he lovingly and gently
emptied the bag on his workbench.
With utmost patience and care
he set about creating
a beautiful work of art
a stained glass window
a mosaic
that would glow and come alive
as the sun shone through.
Not even the smallest crushed pieces were discarded
those creating special depth and richness
in the artisan's skilled hand.

All the pieces of our broken lives
are valuable and useful in the Master's hand.
He is searching out and redeeming
what seems hopelessly broken
patiently creating a masterpiece -
something to glorify God.

"For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]." Ephesians 2:10 (Amp)