I can define myself in so many ways. So can you. I like to think of our identity as a miraculous puzzle, in which we add piece by piece of who we are as time goes on and life is lived. Much like a puzzle, we slowly form a picture of who we are through the various ways we experience life, and the countless turns that add new descriptive components to claim as our own. So many significant pieces fit into our presentation… So many parts we possess. As we grow older, these segments shift to different places, leaving more room to add another piece we discover about ourselves. We continue to create more sections to add to this masterpiece that is entirely ours to own. Our workmanship is made through each circumstance we encounter and how we allow it to penetrate our lives, our hearts, our perspective. The entire puzzle creates a marvelous masterpiece of who are are.
What does your picture portray?
You are a work of art. Did you know that? You are.
Every piece defines you, and you have the power to shine light on whichever part you choose. Our puzzle is a marvelous tapestry of history, and as our timeline continues, we build on this landscape of who we are. We can choose to highlight chosen pieces to display, to share, to shine… we can also choose to sift through the rubble of some of those jagged edged pieces that continue to pierce us with their mighty sword of pain. And sometimes? When we feel we are suffocating in the corners of our own artwork, we can widen our lens to see the greater masterpiece, revealing colorful elements full of healing and restoration and joy. None of us are without those darker pieces, although unique in our individual suffering and failures. None of us are without the brilliantly polished pieces that have been born from our lifetime of victories and celebrations and revelations.
You are a work of art. ALL of you. Embrace who you are. Sculpt as you may, paint as you wish, present your masterpiece however you choose. It’s yours to display.
It is yours and only yours to offer this world.
Today, I share more of this truth over at my beloved friend, Hasty Word’s blog (Click on that to get there!). She is a beautiful and inspiring soul, and if you haven’t met her yet- you need to. While you are over there reading my post, take a look around and discover her gift for yourself. SHE is a miraculous masterpiece.
I loved your guest post!!
But, what I really want to know is HOW ARE YOU DOING?! I haven’t seen any FB posts lately (FB is so weird like that!!) and I’m hoping that your pain is gone and that you are getting around a bit better!!!
YOU ARE SO SWEET TO ASK!!! It’s been hard, Kim. S>L>O>W> recovery… painful too. BUT- I am using crutches and bearing some weight which is good. I just had no idea I would be this bad- that this surgery would be so difficult and complicated and that this rehab would be harder than any I have endured before.
If I think about how much this all sucks, I will cry. So I just keep focusing on all the good things going on. Oh, there’s plenty to keep me distracted!!!
I love you for asking, my friend. I have thought about posting on FB- but I don’t want to keep sharing about it. Just too much.
I came for a visit tonight (well early morning here in Michigan) and found that we both talked about being God’s masterpiece this week! I just love your puzzle analogy. Sometimes I wish the dark pieces of my life did not exist, but as you say, they help to complete the masterpiece. They are a part of who I am, and it’s all beautiful in the eyes of the Lord.
Laura, as I told you over at your place- isn’t that AMAZING? When I saw your post title in my email inbox, I squealed! I too, wish the dark pieces of my life did not exist, but they do. And every part of our art is beautiful in the eyes of the Lord. AMEN.
Oh Chris, as always I feel as if your words are speaking straight to my heart. I so easily get caught up in my not-so-pretty pieces and forget they all form a masterpiece. Thank you for this wonderful reminder and inspiring painting of who and what I really am. Every word on this page has been a gift to me today. Much love to you, sweet friend!
I tried to post this comment on the site where your post was but it wouldn’t let me for some reason. I’m not sure what I did wrong :).
Oh Candace… I am SO TOUCHED that this piece spoke to you! YAY! 🙂 You ARE a miraculous masterpiece… not defined by one part, but by the entirety of your art, my friend. (WordPress comments are tricky, I can’t remember what I did to finally figure them out!)
Thank you for this beautiful reminder. I like to think of each of us as a thread in a beautiful tapestry, intricately woven together. It wouldn’t be the same w/o every single one of us and the important role we play in this life.
Beautifully said, Stephanie. Each thread in itself, is a beautiful tapestry too! <3
This post reminds me of that song by Steven Curtis Chapman (at least I think he is the one who wrote it).. The Fingerprints of God? Lovely song… and lovely blog post!!! <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Oooh! I’ll have to go look that song up, Gingi! Thank you for stopping by to read this.
Thank you so much for allowing me to host you for a day. I keep going back to these words as I try hard to make some pieces fit that I wish I could just throw away. Why not throw them away? Well I think I found the answer…because they could be the heart of my masterpiece someday.
Oh Hasty! I’m deeply honored to share my words over at your beautiful place! Those pieces that are hard-edged and dangerously painful? They absolutely could be the very heart of your masterpiece, my friend. Tend to them, but use your strong and smooth pieces to carry you, shall you fall.