Are you broken?

I said recently, and many times in the past, with a bit of sorrow, "I'm just so broken."  That somehow this world has done irreparable damage to my soul, and this broken-ness has separated me from others, and maybe even from my Savior.

While my head knows the truth of the Gospel, and those comments are absurd in the context of my head knowledge, my heart sometimes disagrees. 

But I have been comforted.  God reminds me that He is near to the brokenhearted and He saves those who are crushed in spirit.  Was this His plan all along?  I think so.  He knew me before I was even born.  My days were written long before I lived even one of them. 

Why would a broken heart be part of His plot for the story of my life?  How can He draw near to me, if I refuse to believe the true status of my soul?  How can I know the lowly state of my nature without feeling the weight of sin. 

I am broken!  But not beyond repair.  While I live in this sin-broken world though, I will never see my life completely repaired.  Lest I seek perfection over seeking God, who alone is perfect. 

I am broken, and the more I grasp that knowledge, the more I understand that is the best place to be.  As Paul says, I will boast all the more in my weaknesses.   His grace is sufficient for me, when I am weak, He is strong. 

Fount of Love by Matt Pappa

Posting lyrics to a song we have been singing at church, it is a blessing! 
You can also check it out on iTunes.

O fount of love divine that flows from my saviors bleeding side
Where sinners trade their filthy rags for His righteousness applied
Mercy cleansing every stain now rushing o’er us like a flood
There the wretch and vilest ones stand adopted through His blood

O mount of grace to thee we cling from the law hath set us free
Once and for all on Calvary’s hill love and justice shall agree
Praise the Lord! the price is paid the curse defeated by the Lamb
We who once were slaves by birth, sons and daughters now we stand

O well of joy is mine to drink for my Lord hath conquered death
Victorious forevermore, the ancient foe is laid to rest
Hallelujah, Christ is King! alive and reigning on the throne
Our tongues employed with hymns of praise, Glory be to God alone!

And, The reveal...

My husbands great idea?...
Use paint samples to make collages! 
BRILLIANT!
FREE!
I'll have to post more pictures later.  Right now he's trying to get me to work out!
New Years resolutions, gotta love 'em!

The husband said what?

After putting away the tree and decorations, the living room wall looked quite barren.  

Sitting and pondering the sadness of my walls, Stacy breaks the silence.

"I have an idea, if you trust me, and it will be nearly free!"

I think all I heard was,

 "Blah, blah, idea, blah blah blah FREE!"

So, I will leave you in suspense!

What idea did Stacy have?

How could it be free?

And will I trust him?

I feel brilliant!

I know that sounds so prideful, and you may already have received the revelation I'm about to reveal, but I can't help but share!

This Christmas, I tried to do as many crafty things for decoration as I could.  One of those was a painted wreath.  I first thought about wrapping my already hung pictures in wrapping paper and putting bows on them.  But then, I thought how awesome and fun it would be for my girls to do something.  

So, I wrapped a painting (a $10 picture from Target, not Monet or anything) with the white back of the paper showing.  

This would be our canvas. 

 I then pulled out the water based red and green paint and covered the girls hands.  

It turned out so cute!  

So cute in fact, I couldn't bring myself to just throw it away. 

 But how would I store it?

Why with the left over wrapping paper roll, you say?  

YES!  BRILLIANCE!

It stores so nicely!  Can't wait to pull it out next year (or should I say later this year)!

I pray you all had a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!