Despite concern about meeting strangers, and having a roommate that I didn’t know, I went to the Jumping Tandem Retreat last weekend. Walking through the doors of this sunny lodge, the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders, even before the first “Hi! What’s your name?”
Something in me was changing, breaking off of me, like pebbles sliding down an incline, right before a landslide hits. Immediately, I wanted to know each woman, I wanted to try to make friends. Woman, and a few men, of varying ages and races all gathered together in one place to worship the Lord and talk about writing. This culture of ours, we meet friends online, making friends across the miles – modern day Pin Pals, but we are Bloggers.
So many stories were told. Stories of finding Christ and then discovering the dream that had been placed in their heart, and, despite difficult lives, the dream still lives.
The dream will always live in our heart because it is where God places the secret road map. It is there because the dreams we dream are His dream for us as well.
Before the last goodbyes and email addresses were scribbled on napkins, we celebrated the Sabbath. We drank the juice of the vine, and ate the bread broken for you, and for me, and we cried. Oh, how we cried. Cried for joy, cried because of brokenness, crying because sometimes women just need to get it out.
And the landslide begins to move. The rocks in my heat begin to tumble, fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of never measuring up one rock after another came tumbling down. Beginning in heaven and coming down to my heart, like streams of water in the desert, flowing into the soul of this dry desert dweller.
I wept uncontrollably. Embarrassed, I turn my face into the wall. I was broken, and I only wanted my Father to hold and comfort me.
His voice whispered softly and peacefully, as worship continued in the room, covering my heart like a salve to heal my broken soul and I hear, “Broken is Beautiful”.
“No”, I argue, “Broken is swollen eyes and nose running everywhere, and people look at you in judgment, and no one wants to be your friend. No, Broken needs to be hidden away from everyone!”
As only God can do, stories from childhood come flooding into my conscience thoughts.
And He broke the bread, so that it could be shared.
He tore the veil so that there could be community in the communion.
He broke the fish into pieces so that all could partake.
And he allowed Himself to be broken so that we could find our way back home.
And, He allows me to be broken, so that the love of Christ could be seen through the cracks in my life.
A slab of diamond never causes the on looker to gasp at its beauty. It is the diamond that has been broken and chiseled by the Master’s hand that people desire. It is because of the missing pieces, the places that have been broken, that brilliant light is reflected to the world. A diamond needs two things to be desired, brokenness and light.
This weekend, at the Jumping Tandem Retreat, a group of about one-hundred diamonds came together, and we allowed our broken places to come into the light for others to see – we were real, we were non-judgmental, we were encouragers.
And we saw brokenness is the foundation for God-Size Dreams to happen.
Here is a slide show from our weekend together.
Latest posts by Diane W. Bailey (see all)
- What God Can Do with A Shattered Heart - September 5, 2022
- When It Is Time to Bring Your Ship Ashore - January 2, 2018
- Art Of Hospitality – How to Love Others As Ourselves - November 27, 2017
Oh Diane, this is just lovely. Thank you so much. It was a privilege to meet you.
Thank you, Diana. I enjoyed being with you this weekend, You sermon really touched my heart…could you tell? You are an amazing woman,Diana, and I look forward to the Lord giving us another time together!
Love this pic of you and Holley!
This is a tender post dear Di- so glad that God met with you in such a deep way- how wonderful!
Thank you Mary.
Oh girl, I’m right there with you — ugly-crying and the whole she-bang! I’m so glad you got to go to JT and make all those connections. I’m also glad you sensed the Lord moving in your heart, breaking you so He could sweep up the pieces and start on something new. Can’t wait to watch that develop. LOVE YOU 🙂
Susan, You always make my day “she-bang” love it! You are such a dear friend. The first on=line best friend I’ve ever had! Love you! <3
Beautiful, Diane, as was your slideshow from the weekend. What a gift you’ve shared.
Thank you, Lyla. I loved being with you. Next time, let find time for each other to have a good conversation and I’ll put down the camera this time and chat ( the camera takes over sometimes!) =)
Oh Diane, this is so beautiful. I wish I could have joined you. Maybe one day? Love you. P.s. And boy…. does He has beauty in brokenness!!
Amen, Barb. You would have loved it there. Perhaps this will become an annual event. By the way, Love your dream posts!
Thanks Diane!
I love this Dianne! Yes broken is beautiful. I thank God for all of the brokeness in my life that he has polished to make Good. 🙂 He is the source of our strength, and carries us through so much. I give thanks in all times of pain. Have a wonderful day beautiful lady 🙂
Ness
Thank you Ness, Yes I love that He polishes the broken for beauty!
Amen – you sparkly Southern belle!
Hugs,
Kelly
AS do you lovely, Kelly! AS do you!
Beautiful words. Beautiful YOU. I miss your voice. Your hugs. Your sweet smile.
Your brokenness is quite stunning, my friend. You’re a true diamond. Shine on.
AS are you Jennifer. I LOVE your sense of humor – Girl, you are like mad-scientist hilarious! And I could sit and laugh, worship and listen to you for hours!