©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com
The sky darkened and hail began to rain down on our home, clattering against the roof and deck.
The unexpected storm caused pebbles of ice to puncture the perfectly formed heart-shaped leaves in my garden. I was shocked to see the damage left behind. Those lovely leaves had been perforated and torn during the intense hail assault.
Yet they still maintained their heart shapes.
The hail we encounter in life puts its own form of holes, rips and tears in us, but our lives can still reflect God’s design, His heart and His strength. The Master Creator has the power to fill and heal the holes in our hearts.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 NIV
Restoring Beauty through the Static
Remember the static on television screens when the transmission signal was interrupted or disturbed? The crackling of hail sounds like static as it falls and hit surfaces. It draws our attention and distracts us from our focus.
If we let it, the hail that hits our lives can send us into a state much like a blurred television screen, without color and clarity.
In addition to his primary job, my dad was a skilled radio and television fix-it man. Obviously, whenever our television showed static or had a problem, we relied on him to figure out a way to restore the picture!
Our heavenly father knows how to restore the beauty in our lives, and He has the power to heal the wounds we absorb from the hail we encounter in this world.
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. Psalm 71:12 NIV
Standing Strong Together
At a distance you can’t even see the holes in the plants; it’s only when you get close that the wounds are revealed. That’s the same way with us and our relationships. The closer we get to each other, the more we see the suffering and the scars, and the more we can strengthen each other.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
One thing I noticed about the grouping of elephant ear plants. Most, if not all, had sustained some damage from the hail. But grouped together, all grown from the same original bulb, they remained vibrant and strong in the sunshine – even with the holes.
As we stay connected to the Lord and surround ourselves with others with God-shaped hearts, we find strength and reflect love and, like those damaged plants, add beauty to where we are.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. Acts 2:26-27 NIV
- Have you ever experienced hail damage (Roof? Car? Plants?) When?
- What emotional hail holes did you incur in your life?
- What part of your life do you feel is still damaged by hail hits? (Ask God today to heal those wounds and to restore the clarity and brightness of your life. Release them to Him.)
- Who are you grouping yourself with closely to stay strong in God’s Word and Will?
- How does your heart appear to others?
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:15 NIV
Remember…
Life is Better When It’s Full – Joy-full, Thank-full, Purpose-full and Friend-full! ™