Shells

Some of the shells that wash up on the beach were once very beautiful. We don't know what kind of journey they had to take to get them in their fragile condition. The same is true for people. Be kind.

~ Maribeth Jordan~

As I said previously, this is a quote from my friend Maribeth.  Maribeth runs a page on Facebook called Hope.  She is also the friend that featured my life story on her page.  I love this quote - and here's my thoughts on it.

I think all shells are beautiful.  Of course, you know how much I love the ocean so picking up shells is something I am naturally inclined to. Shells are beautiful things - and to get them to the polished state we find them on the beach - we all know what had to happen.  They were tossed, turned, thrown, knocked around before they land on a beach where you or I might find them.  Even those that land in broken pieces are beautiful.  There are various colors, shapes, sizes - but they all have something in common.  They weathered more than one storm to develop into something beautiful.

I'd like to think of myself - and all of us - as one of those shells.  No matter how "perfect" our lives, we all have weathered something difficult.  For some of us, it was an abusive childhood.  For others, death, loss or illness.  Others, a rough marriage or difficulty in parenting.  Yet others, job problems, loss of income, financial instability.  All of us have been tossed and turned - knocked around by something or someone.  Some of us have landed in pieces - all of us have been left with something broken in one way or another.

However.  We are all beautiful if we allow the hand of our maker to polish us.  What knocks us down can actually mold us into something amazing - smooth - if we allow God to work in our lives.  When we land on the shores of heaven one day - our maker will pick us up, turn us over - look at our beauty and tell us "well done, good and faithful servant" if we follow him in this life.

What storms have you weathered?  Have you landed in pieces?  Do you allow the hand of your maker to polish you into something beautiful? It's not easy - but just as shells on the beach land with grace, dignity and amazing beauty - so can we.