Joy A. Mead

The morning was going so well—a quick stop at the grocery store after dropping the children to school and then I was busily getting through my list of chores. The laundry was whirring around in the washing machine and the floors were freshly vacuumed and mopped, when I heard a thunderous boom from the front of the house—only there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. As I threw open the front door, I could see a distraught delivery driver, his massive van, and the top later of our garden wall and lantern laying broken on our driveway!

Naturally, I rushed out to inspect the damage and took down details and photos to report the incident to the company. The irony was that he had been on his way to deliver a book to me! Both of us still freshly shaken up, we parted on civil terms as the driver apologized for the top of our wall, sliced off like a piece of cake, and in the grand perspective, I was thankful no one had been hurt. Within a week, I was grateful to receive compensation for the damages and now our builder could make the repair.

Being in popular demand, our builder was delayed in fixing our wall due to all his other jobs happening this summer. And thankfully so, it was just as well because no more than seven weeks later, I heard an even more intense boom which I now recognized as the sound that can only be made by the collision of a vehicle against bricks! No sooner had I shut the front door after taking in my groceries, and I was rushing out again—more of the same wall, now from partially to severely damaged, lay crumbled over the driveway and road. I know this is England and roads are ridiculously tight, however, I could hardly believe the misfortune of our garden wall within a matter of weeks! Again, after the initial shock, I was relieved that no one had had their life threatened or come away with injuries. A bit more back-and-forth of phone calls happened and then a few more weeks transpired with their company’s insurance, who thankfully sorted out a settlement.

I can even now say that I am grateful our builder’s schedule was too full to accommodate the first repair, because how frustrating would that have been to have the top newly restored, only to have to start the repairs all over again?! He has now booked to do the job next week, so I do hope the repaired column and lamp will stay up longer than two months! I guess we shall see!

Over these last weeks, I’ve felt a bit like our beaten and battered garden wall. Life can have a way of throwing all kinds of challenges our way. Sometimes, the things we’ve so carefully worked to build in our lives can, all of a sudden, be smashed into pieces, leaving us wondering why God allows these sorts of soul-crushing troubles in the lives of His children.

I don’t have all the answers and maybe I never will to certain challenges—like why good friends have to move away, how so much hurt can be caused and judgment passed from Christian to Christian within the church, why governments choose to enforce challenging laws making the cost of living soar for so many ordinary people, why some people get seriously ill or even die so young, and how to support the healthy emotions of children when the parents themselves are emotionally wearing thin. I’m sure you probably have your own questions to life’s Why issues. I’m not sure that all of our why’s will have answers on this side of heaven, but I do know from my own faith journey that God doesn’t want us to indefinitely be frozen or focused on the “why” of our life’s troubles.

Instead, we can ask God, “Okay, this has happened, what’s next?” or “Where do I go from here?” All through these valleys, God promises to be near and to go with us on our journeys. Just like my garden wall, I believe God’s grace will guide each of us if our hearts are open to His wisdom, leading, and counsel. Brick by brick, layer by layer, time after time—God can restore every brokenness in our souls.

Even as I continue to journey through a beautiful yet incredibly challenging season of my life, I am choosing to believe that God is rebuilding me even stronger and more resilient than I was before. I can trust that he isn’t finished with me yet. He always has plans for good, and even feeling half broken at times, He can use my life for His glory.

If you feel broken too, please know that it is okay to feel that way. We all struggle at times, but few of us are willing to admit our brokenness, fragility, and the desire to be accepted just where we are at in the moment. On the contrary, many people try silently to get through their low valleys and only share with others when they’ve reached the high peaks again. It’s okay to be real and bravely admit when we have struggles.

How I pray that God would meet with each of us today and remind us that we are not alone. He, himself, is always with us and when we are open and honest, He allows us to find others who can encourage us to persevere as we do the same for those around us.

Remember that just like my garden wall is about to be restored, so the Maker of heaven and earth is fully capable of restoring your heart, mind, soul, and emotions. Brokenness doesn’t last forever—instead, view it as an opportunity to grow closer with God and connect with those around you who might be hurting too. In our weakness, God shows us His strength as He graciously makes all things new.