Fragmented But Precious

For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD. Jeremiah 30:17

I recently bought a poetry book entitled Scattered Fragments, which was written by a lovely lady called Heather Henry. In the opening part of the book, she says:

‘This book is a collection of reflections which had for several years lain like scattered fragments, but which I gathered up… seeking to redistribute them into the hands of others who may in turn scatter them further… [and] be used to bless many, just as was the original small offering from the young lad, when he entrusted it into the hands of Jesus.

The feeding of the five thousand was miraculous, but the wonder of that occasion didn’t end there, for ‘when they had eaten their fill, [Jesus] told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.’ (Jn 6:12; Lk 9:17). In feeding the people, we see God’s power. In gathering the broken pieces, we see the Lord’s heart.

We all have our share of broken pieces; fragments of our lives that have been left behind somewhere along the way. Maybe that has been through wrong choices or time wasted pursuing what could never fulfil. Maybe pieces are missing because of mistreatment or loss or grief. Whatever the circumstances, part of us has gone and we feel incomplete. Can it ever be fixed, restored, made whole again? Let me answer that by asking another question – Why did Jesus gather up the fragments and broken pieces?

That nothing may be lost.

Jesus is interested in every single piece of our lives – the damaged pieces, the scarred pieces, and especially the broken pieces. He wants to gather up every fragment because each and every piece of us is precious to him, and through him, we can be restored.

If you are feeling broken and fragmented, let Jesus gather you in his arms and remind you of how precious you are.