Making Beauty From BrOKenESs

Just finished a two day workshop teaching mosaic on pots. I forgot how much fun this was. I was cleaning my studio and really needed to make space to be better organized and decided to get rid of all my mosaic supplies. I had really burned out on this a few years ago and knew it when it took a year to finish a commissioned piece. Instead of tossing everything, I decided to teach some classes to get rid of all the odds and ends.
The process of mosaic is very calming. We used broken dishes, seashells and lots of small tiles. As we were piecing it all together I couldn't help but notice how this process mimics our lives and my own spiritual walk. As each broken piece gets glued to the pot, you are in essence, trying to make something beautiful from brokeness. Isn't that exactly what God is trying to do with each one of us every single day? In the process, some of the pieces fall off just as we do striving for perfection in our lives. Just like the pieces of glass, we get picked up and put back onto that pot and try to hang on only to fall off once again. Perfection in these pots, just as in our lives is not possible but after finishing, we found we had indeed made something beautiful from all the broken pieces.
I could have thrown out all of my shattered shards but I'm thankful now that I didn't. Our God doesn't do that with us...no, He makes us into something beautiful no matter how many times we fall. Ok, so it's Sunday and I'm feeling a bit spiritual, what can I say?
The pot above was not made in the class. I did a more basic teaching of the craft. Each pot came out so unique to each personality and it was an enjoyable experience getting to know these women this weekend. The pot above took a bit of intricate cutting and planning to get the face. The rim is filled with shells, coral, buttons, sea glass and much more. She has enjoyed her stay in the yard this season filled with chamonmile. The herb is fading and I think her new hair will be made of succulants.