Kintsugi

What happens to a broken vase or plate?

Does one throw it out or repair it?

Even if one repairs it, the scars would remain,

but maybe there's a way to redeem scars.

There is a Japanese practice

that highlights and enhances

the breaks by repairing them

with gold or other precious metals,

thus adding value to the broken object.

It’s called kintsugi (金継ぎ), or kintsukuroi (金繕い),

literally golden (“kin”) and repair (“tsugi”).

The process is very labor intensive.

It can take a whole month to finish

large or complicated pieces.

With kintsugi, the scars

become what to exhibit,

what gives the piece more valu

than before it broke.

Our hearts might be broken,

right now, but,

if we surrender our shattered selves

into the Creator's hands,

God promises us kintsugi.

It will take time,

but He will make for us

precious scars, redeemed by love,

which will shine for His glory.