The father-in-law was shocked when his son-in-law entered his home, placed the pieces of a carburetor on a newspaper on his dining room table, asked for help, and quickly exited the house. Neither man had put a carburetor together before but the father-in-law decided he was up for the challenge and after a number of difficult hours, was eventually successful in making each part fit together properly.

Our lives consist of broken parts: deep sorrows, dashed expectations, crushed dreams, guilt, shame, broken relationships, along with sins and transgressions of all kinds. Yet when we place our trust in Christ and turn our lives over to Him.

He makes a beautiful mosaic of our brokenness. He promises to replace the ashes of our lives with His beauty. He takes our grief and mourning and gives us glad and comforted hearts. Because of all we’ve been through we are more grateful than ever for His forgiveness and mercy.

The Bible says, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” Ro. 8:28.

Our purpose in living for Jesus assures us that the Lord will take all the broken, painful pieces and do wonderful things with them. He uses them all for His glory and His wonderful plan. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jer. 29:11.

Pastor Greg Brownell

United Brethren Church

Dayton