Restoration

The brokenness of the human heart is the main source of pain and disappointment along the trail of hopelessness. There is no clearer picture of what we distinctly are apart from the the mighty grace of God than described in Jeremiah 17:9-10.

However, God chooses to redeem that brokenness daily in His promises and faithfulness, manifestly found in the relationships he forges in our life with others. Satan would have some think and feel they are isolated, alone and unworthy of absolute affection. Even in Proverbs 18:1, the writer intimates the person who isolates himself seeks that which is contrary to the desires of God. Isolation is necessary, but not as a means for self pity and loathing, but as a means of refreshing and quieting our soul before God.

I'm reminded of the absolute necessity for man to be bound to God through others at Zach's Graduation Party last night. What immeasurable joy and elation it is to be gathered together in His name to celebrate milestones God has made possible.

The timeline of Zach's life was represented as well-
people who were there as he was formed in his mother's womb;
friends and family who saw him crawl, walk, speak for the first time.
those who saw him at his dedication.
Those who shared his joy when Noah was born.
those who saw his first day of school.
his first sport played and his laying out of his uniform.
first bible memory verse;
first time really broken over sin;
Saying yes to The Lord
first crush;
Big move to a new school.
First broken bone (and not the last!)
First trip to Disney.
First day of High School.
First home run, tackle and 3 pointer.
Baptism.
Surrender.
Love.
Joy.
Loss.
Restoration.

Zach doesn't know all the stories of how God has weaved the people he's known back together again. Maybe someday we will share with him the faithfulness of God in these areas. All he knows it that he's loved and he saw them in one place last night.

That's a good picture of restoration.