Seeing Cracks

​As we sang the song in the pew, I looked out at the sun shining through the stained glass. I immediately saw it: a crack in the window. I pointed it out to my husband who gently responded, "You really notice cracks. I saw that one in the cement  {another crack I had previously pointed out to him} and it is very small."

I've pondered this interaction for a time. I came to the point where I had to ask myself, "Do I only see the cracks?"

Because I do see them. Not only do I see them in stained glass and cement, I also see them in myself and others. I see cracks.

Sometimes this is good. A crack left to itself will likely expand, getting larger and larger until it becomes a dangerous pothole. Cracks do need to be addressed.

Yet I'm good at addressing the cracks. It's the big picture and the beauty that lies both within and around the crack that I often miss.

I first looked at the window to see the sun shining through. Yet when I focused on the crack, I forgot about the sun. I forgot about the song. I forgot about the light pouring into the sanctuary. I missed the beauty around the crack.

When I focus on the cracks within me or others, I miss them too. I miss all of who they are. I miss their beauty. Made in the image of God, we each reflect pieces of Him always. I miss it.

Perhaps the greatest gift we've been given is our relationships with God and each other. Yet whom among us is perfect? Cracks. We all have them. Yet this is the very way we most connect: through our shared cracks.

Where is your focus today? Is it on the cracks? Or is it on the beauty? It all depends on your view.

So when you see the cracks. Embrace them. Yet also see the full window that encompasses them, and the light shining through.

Today, see cracks, and see beauty.
 
Originally published through Fruitful Branches Coaching
© 2014 Mellany Zepelak and Fruitful Branches Coaching LLC

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