Broken Things

McDonald’s has a new billboard out that has caused me to ponder. It’s a picture of an egg and an Egg McMuffin. It says, "We break ‘em then we fix ‘em." I’ve thought before about how the Lord might work that way with us.

President Packer tells a story about carving one of his birds out of wood. After finishing it, he was taking it into town to show someone. The man driving him had to suddenly stop at an intersection to avoid hitting another car. The bird, which was on the backseat, fell to the floor and broke into pieces. The driver was devastated. Without thinking, President Packer said, "Don’t worry about it. I made it; I can fix it." And he did fix it. He said he made it stronger and better than it was before. Then he made the comparison: "Now, who made you? Can He fix you? Yes! If you will let Him, He will make you stronger and better than you were before." (Paraphrased)

There is a song on the CD "A More Excellent Way" that I love. It's called "Broken" by Kenneth Cope. (Click to listen.) Part of the words follow:

Broken clouds give rain; …

Broken storms yield light.
The break of day heals night.
Broken pride turns blindness into sight …

Could it be that God loves broken things? …

And yet, our broken faith, our broken promises
Sent love to the cross
And still, that broken flesh, that broken heart of His,
Offers us such grace and mercy,
Covers us with love undeserving.

This broken soul that cries for mending
This broken heart for offering
I’m convinced that God loves broken ME
Praise His name—my God loves broken things!

How I love my Savior—that He loves me when I’m broken and how He longs to fix me and make me stronger! How pleased He must feel when He has fixed or mended me, for those times that I have turned to and trusted in Him as my Master Creator. How merciful and tender He truly is! How much I stand in need of Him and His ever sustaining, forgiving, loving hand! How much I need to continuously learn and grow and be mended of my errors and shortcomings.

Truly He is the solution to all of our ails. May we believe His promises and ever be willing to live "a more excellent way" (Ether 12:11) through Him.

Originally posted 8/5/08. (Thanks for the request, Laura!)