Kintsugi

[Brakelite]

Some things shatter beyond recognition. Their loss hurts. Unrepairable, and beyond hope of restoration. Sometimes, depending on their sentimental value, with tears and sorrow we bin them, to be replaced with something we know well one day also be binned and replaced. We live in a throw away society. And technology has made this even more so. A valuable phone we bought for $2000 takes just one careless dip in the swimming pool to render it useless and fit only for the dump. Cars that used to be repaired in the back yard 30 years ago now have to be surrendered to technicians in order to replace computer boards without which the car won't start.
Praise God that the most valuable and intricately created thing on the planet, though utterly broken, can be repaired. People.
You may have heard of Kintsugi. It is the Japanese art form of mending broken pottery using lacquer mixed with gold. The final restored item becomes more valuable than in its original form. The kintsugi artist doesn't pretend the pot isn't broken. He doesn't cover it up in an attempt to hide the trauma. And God doesn't hide our trauma either. In fact, our former brokenness becomes part of our story, and the final product, washed in the blood of the Lamb and restored like gold tried on the fire, attains a character that is unique and a rare exposition of God's artistry and grace and power.
Nothing needs to be thrown away, there is hope for everyone.