I am the person in the very back of a large crowd.
I am easily intimidated, incredibly awkward, and very easy to miss.
However, like many abstract paintings, there is more to me than what meets the eye.
I am easily intimidated, incredibly awkward, and very easy to miss.
However, like many abstract paintings, there is more to me than what meets the eye.
Inside this quiet, awkward, introvert lies a priceless vase, sitting alone on a shelf.
Over the years, this vase has been carelessly knocked around, chipped, broken, and sometimes, even smashed to bits,
but there is always enough super-glue lying around to put it back together (for the most part).
For the average passerby, it is almost impossible to see the marks that forever remain etched in the glass
but there is always enough super-glue lying around to put it back together (for the most part).
For the average passerby, it is almost impossible to see the marks that forever remain etched in the glass
but upon a closer look, it becomes easier to see which parts of the vase contain the most glue.
It is also very easy to see the cracks that, no matter how long I've tried, are impossible to cover up.
Sometimes, it is easier to just not think about the damaged vase, and live my life as though it never existed. As though, I have never been broken.
But I have come to the realization that it is ok to have that shattered part inside of me.
It, no matter how painful it is, has molded me into the person I am today, no matter how shy and introverted it has may sometimes even look at the shattered remains of the vase and be content with it.
It, no matter how painful it is, has molded me into the person I am today, no matter how shy and introverted it has may sometimes even look at the shattered remains of the vase and be content with it.
Just like a person knocking over a priceless vase, the tragedies that have happened in my life are in the past.
It is time to buy a new vase.
The past is over.
It is time to buy a new vase.
The past is over.
There is no way to change it
No matter what made me the way who I am today, I am glad
because I am Me.
because I am Me.
Nothing will ever change that,
No matter how often the only thing I can do,
is just open up another bottle of super-glue.
Nathan, way to get real. It's so powerful when you all get real-- and it takes the quality of your writing to another level, because you're writing so much from the heart. There is incredible courage in this.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I appreciate your acknowledgment that the vase is "priceless." Because you need to know that you are. There is tremendous humility in what you wrote; I hope, even as you recognize brokenness, you also remember the WORTH that is ascribed to us, even so. There is so much to praise about you.
My chapel talk on Wednesday has a ton to do with brokenness being the first surest sign of a "man or woman of God." It's very possible Nathan, that your whole-hearted recognition of the broken pieces is a giant leap towards God-- even if it totally doesn't feel that way.
Have you heard the song, "Beautiful Things"? Makes me think of what you wrote.
Great ending couplet-- that's the musician in you; the cadence is perfect.
15/15
I really, really liked this. I love that you are able to acknowledge your past and the things that didn't go your way, but you know to keep looking forward and to be proud of who you are, because you have a pretty darn good reason to. One thing I want to suggest is that you are not the only vase out there. We are all broken and shattered and can revel in that together! We should all take pride in who we are and can build each other up as we sit on the shelf of life as a team. But thank you for your creative ideas and for being real and genuine. And I just have to say one thing: thank God for super-glue.
ReplyDeleteNathan this is great. Not only do you see your past, but you are able to move away from it. Most people struggle to let go of the past. I also love the line, "It is time to buy a new vase. The past is over." That line is great and very inspiring. Also, the idea that you are using super glue to put your life back together is great. That is showing how the damages were fixed but never perfectly repaired.
ReplyDeleteThis is great analogy.