Falling apart? Like you need something or someone to patch you up, to hold you together and keep your insides from leaking out? Yes? Well...so have I. Not much fun, is it? ***************
We were gifted a stay at a lovely hotel in the historic city of Cuenca (in Ecuador) last month. After the wonderful breakfast buffet each day, we would walk over to the mall next door and get a lot of exercise ambling around a very large store that had a wide variety of merchandise, and with very reasonable prices.
Of course, we always bought something, as we would find things that our mega-supermarket here in Quito doesn't carry, or items that were cheaper, and others that caught our fancy. A very enjoyable way to exercise! However...packing to come home, we had to fit it all into our one suitcase (and our one small personal bag each). Then...I noticed the ripped flap:
Germán had some tape, and rushed out for some glue. The next morning, he quickly finished the repair as we waited for the taxi to the airport. A few minutes after handing over the suitcase at the counter, they handed it back and said, "They won't accept it like this. You need to fix it." The bottom seam was coming apart, the contents in danger of spilling out. (The photo below shows the rip, post-unpacking - and it doesn't show the full extent!)
Out came the glue and tape, and he was handed a roll of that plastic they use to wrap suitcases! So he worked...and worked...taping and wrapping...over and over, until it was practically mummified! (I wish I had taken the top photo before he removed all the wrapping!) But the case made it home!
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Sometimes we need God to do for us what my husband did for the suitcase. And He will do it! Each of His promises is a piece of "tape" that He winds around our heart; He takes His words of hope and wraps them around us, over and over, to hold us together, to patch us up...and keep our "pieces" from flying out! And when we go to Him, He will NEVER say, "I won't accept you like this. You need to fix yourself first."
On the contrary...
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
He will..."provide for those who grieve in Zion...a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and the garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Isaiah 6:3)
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken not my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10)
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand...For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear: I will help you." (Isaiah 41:10, 13)
And with Him at our side, with Him holding us together, we WILL make it Home! And then...
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
