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I have a memory I’ve been thinking about lately that I like to call "Honey in a Nutshell," because it holds so much of the Lord’s tenderness within a very small moment.
Years ago, we were living in a simple home in Canada with no running water or electricity. I had turned our unused bathroom into a storage room, decorating it with red and white ruffled gingham curtains the Lord had provided. At the time, I was yearning for real honey for my baking, but it was incredibly expensive. I went to the Lord in prayer and asked if He would provide a gallon of honey and some walnuts.
Not long after, friends visiting from Oregon asked what we needed. When they arrived, they brought a massive bag of walnuts and a heavy, one-gallon glass jar of honey. I was thrilled! As an Inspirational Composer, I often see how God orchestrates these "Platforms of Praise" in our lives by giving us a lot when we only ask for a little.
A few nights later, however, I rushed into that dark room in a hurry. I bumped the heavy glass jar, and it shattered across the floor. I sat there and cried, devastated. I even tried to figure out a way to strain the glass out with cheesecloth, but the danger was too great. I had to throw it all away.
But here is the beautiful thing about the heart of God: He wasn't finished. To preserve the gift He wanted me to have, He later prompted other people to bring us more honey—only this time, it was in a plastic jar. He knew my clumsiness and provided a container that could withstand my haste.
That is the faithfulness of our Father. Even when we make mistakes with the blessings He gives us, He is so loving that He can turn our sticky disasters into joy. He goes out of His way to take every situation and turn it into a picture of His incredible tenderness toward us.
Reflection
Is there a "broken jar" in your life today that you are mourning? Remember that God is the author of Steps To Joy; He is creative enough to replace what was lost in a way that is even better suited for your journey. Trust His tenderness today.
