Held together by grace //

During a lull in the storm, when we are given the choice to stand or fall, we limp painfully to the shore and crumple to our knees in weakness, then blame it on the water that swirls around us in a deep, frightening chorus. When the rains start again, we crash against the rocks with a force that shatters every corner of our soul and we are left feeling like a graveyard of scars which are only held together by grace.
        But storms end.
They lose their power and appear in the distance as only a memory of darkness. And yet shadows can be cast by the sun, and clouds don't have to bring rain to hang over us as a constant reminder. Sometimes broken pieces can feel like knives that are extended toward the people we love and we wonder whether the shattered bits of our hearts are scarring them as well, because they are walking away with downcast eyes and pained expressions. And it hurts us more then anything. We want to run, hide, disappear and make it all stop because the storm has changed us. We are strangers to ourselves. And yet maybe that's okay, maybe we just need to stop running. Because what if our scars are the door to a new identity in Christ? What if it is not an ending, but a new beginning in becoming the people we were meant to be?
          What if it is okay to be broken?
What if we stopped fighting the storms and just ran to the Safe Tower? What if scars make us into who we really are? Because I've seen it. Sun can shine through the cracks and Light brings healing. So maybe this time, instead of falling to the floor and letting the waves carry us off, we will stand and face the darkness with boldness. Because no matter what comes against us, we will come out so much stronger, and best of all... we are held together by grace.

 hugs || Amy Jane