Bruised but not Broken

Dear Friends,

Isaiah 42:3 NIV, A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.

I played the clarinet in middle school, and having a “reed” was an important part of playing the instrument. I can’t tell you the countless number of reeds that were purchased over the three years that I was in band. My mom would say, “are you intentionally breaking the reeds?” Believe me I wasn’t. I just didn’t know how to properly use them and care for them. Our band director suggested that we have at least 3-4 reed for beginners band. He would also would give us tips on how to make our reed last longer. He would tell us to soak our reed in water before playing it, so that the reed that had been in the box, would be used to being wet again. To also make sure that after use, that we clean our reed, and then place in back into the reed case for protection. More often than trying to save the reeds, I just threw the broken ones away. There may have been a few times that I would try to preserve the reed when it was my last one.

I am grateful for the faithfulness of Christ Jesus. Like the broken clarinet reed, that most band student saw no use in and disposed of them. Christ sees our broken reeds (every area of our life). Like, the tip that our band director gave us about soaking our reeds in the water before use. Can I suggest that if there are any broken areas in our life, let’s asked Him to provide us with His living water to soak our brokenness in. We can trust that He won’t throw us away, or add to our brokenness. In His faithfulness and lovingkindness , He is ready to heal us and make us whole.

John 4:10 NIV, “Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that ask you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

Unbroken in Christ,

Chanda Rose