Even Good People Need Encouragement

Author Darlene Gray, Medicine Hat, AB

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

(Matthew 11:28 New Revised Standard Version)

On a recent retreat I was amazed at the intricacies of the way in which the chapel ceiling had been designed. So many beams had been hewn from large trees and crafted to fit together to create such beauty and functionality. Built sturdy enough to withstand the wind and snow that is common in that area. I was also told that timbers are cut, shaped then shipped to the site where they

will be assembled. Then after being kept in the new location for some time, they were used to be built into this beautiful chapel.

As I examined the ceiling more closely, I discovered that some of these beams were beginning to split even though they had been seasoned correctly. They had been severed from the tree – roots that had given them life. In time I imagine that the cracks will have to be epoxied to bring them back to full

strength.

As I thought about this, I was reminded that as humans we are planted in the garden of God and his family. Family, friends, church family, and others brought across our path can be messy and leave us hurt and exhausted, and cracks like the ones in the timbers may form. If we don’t deal with the hurts the cracks can become deep. Humans will all eventually let us down, only God is perfectly consistent and loving.

I was also reminded of a method used by the Chinese to repair broken pieces of pottery, called Kintsugi. Pieces of pottery are reconstructed and fused together with gold creating an even more beautiful and stronger piece of pottery.

Just as the beams can be repaired and pottery can be pieced together by a specialist in these areas so we can be healed. Our healer? Deciding to lean into teaching and guidance of God through scripture and those called to be our faith mentors.

We are to honour those among us who have served well but now need healing and restoration. If “we come away to a place of restoration, rest, and encouragement” then our wounds can be healed, and we can once again be a useful and often even stronger part of the Kingdom of God.