Innocently, with big, expressive brown eyes and seemingly just as surprised as his Pa is, Hudson, almost four now, often shares, “The tires are off, or the car/truck got broke,” when he asks Pa to play cars. When asked what happened, he doesn’t seem to know, winky face. Nor is he overly concerned.
Over the past couple of years, this seems to be a common theme since his Pa has been giving him his various die-cast car collections. As my daughter-in-law and I have pointed out, he is only a toddler, and perhaps we should save these a few years. But that has done little to derail his gifting. Even though he still plays the game, Pa is no longer “surprised” that the collection has turned into enough individual tires for a tire shop and both cars and trucks needing repair.
It also appears that these damaged cars are much more fun than perfectly unboxed ones. That, along with Hudsons’ frequent body shop time and being a son and grandson of auto body repairmen, well, it’s not rocket science. He also knows that broken things can be restored. He has witnessed his dad and Pa’s magic of restoration on many projects.
We have attempted to steer Pa from losing hundreds, possibly even, thousands of dollars on these collectibles. But he has decided these moments hold a value that does not compare to any monetary worth. The broken pieces have unique usefulness and subtle lessons. Damage does not mean destroyed.
As I considered this, thoughts on broken things evolved. I thought about us, many of us, perhaps all of us. I thought about so many spiritually, physically, or mentally damaged people—broken wings, broken hearts, broken confidence, broken for many unique reasons. I currently know countless people with some significant breaks. I haven’t just heard of them, but I know them. There is a multitude of individual reasons why. Some are openly severed, and others are silently crushed. It’s honestly overwhelming to witness such a magnitude of broken people. I see you, and I feel you. Some days, I am you.
But you still have value with your damage. You bring enjoyment to someone who doesn’t care that your paint is peeling or that you have some dents, your tires are missing, or you are broken. Someone with that childlike resolve sees what you can do or be, not what you can’t. I want to remind you that you need not be picture-perfect to have worth. You are perfectly imperfect.
So, unbox the cars, crash the bumpers, tear off the tires, and see the beauty of brokenness in yourself and others. Forget perfection. It is a facade.
Embrace the potential of broken things and the possibilities of restoration.
Hoping you find a place in my space. ♥
Reflection Question:
How are you broken? Does your brokenness add to your usefulness? Is restoration possible?
Applicable Bible Verses: Psalm 34:18, 1 Peter 5:10 (two of many)
1 Comment
Thank you for sharing Missy. My dad has always found ways to fix stuff and still does. I sure do get that from him. Phil is pretty good about it as well. The result is we have lots of “to do” projects and disappointment we aren’t getting them fixed so we can use them! Just can’t bring ourselves to throw anything away until we have exhausted all possibilities for restoration. So very grateful we have an Almighty God who fixes us when we are broken in His timing.