Sea Glass

Growing up in Ohio, I didn't have a lot of experience with things of the ocean. My family's yearly visit to Florida did yield some knowledge, but not much. I was too busy swimming and playing in the surf to be concerned with shells and the such. 

Now, I live on an island and the ocean is more accessible. Typically, a vacation involves the ocean in one form or another.

Several years ago, a friend's sister was in Taiwan visiting. She was asked by another friend to bring back some sea glass. She spent multiple days looking for this treasure.

Up until then, I had never really heard of sea glass.

It all begins with trash. A glass bottle, no longer wanted or desired, is discarded. Left to face the elements alone, it finds its way to the ocean. Somewhere along the way, it breaks, shattering its wholeness, its integrity. The pieces scatter;  battered, pummeled, scratched. Salt, water, sand all have their affect.

The result, however, is beautiful.

Smooth to the touch,  rough edges gone. 

Each shape unique; unlike any other.

No longer transparent, but rather, beautifully opaque.

It reminds me of this life we live here on earth. Throughout the years, we go through situations that shatter our world. We feel pummeled by the trouble we endure. Scratches from broken relationships and hurtful words, diminish our clarity. 

But, while painful, these trials, if allowed, can wear down our splintered, jagged souls creating, in turn, a  new unique being. God allows the bad in our lives to help transform us into something beautiful.

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

But, from this....

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts, through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5   

During our recent trip to Taitung, we found many pieces of sea glass. A result, I am sure of the recent typhoons. Turbulent environment producing new beauty.  

This small jar of sea glass often reminds me of the power of the trials in my life. While difficult and painful, God can use them to change and mold me. 

God has the power to change the broken, shattered pieces of our lives into something beautiful.

Will you allow Him to work in you?