22 June 2011

Seeing what's broken

I'm glad to have the time to rejoin the journey with Sarah and Jason and others through Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis.  This week we look at Book III Chapter 4 Morality and Psychoanalysis.  Here, Lewis says:
One last point.  Remember that, as I said, the right direction leads not only to peace but to knowledge.  When a man is getting better, he understands more and more clearly the evil that is still left in him.  When a man is getting worse, he understands his own badness less and less.  A moderately bad mans knows he is not very good; a thoroughly bad man thinks he is all right.  This is common sense really.  You understand sleep when you are awake, not while you are sleeping.
So then it seems I am getting better
for each day I see more of my imperfection.
As His hand works filling chips
smoothing cracks
I notice my brokeness
in ways deeper, more profound.
May I not, all at once
view myself as whole
complete
only to find myself
more shattered than before.
I pray each day
for more surrender
each day to trust
more of the pieces to His care.
In imperfect brokeness
I am more truly His.

Stop by Jason's to see what others are sharing about this week's reading.


Visit Emily's to read prose of the broken, imperfect and redeemed.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know this to be true. When I feel I'm strong enough and all put together is the time I'm headed for some harsh reality and a tumble of some sort. He's so loving and gracious though! Thanks Karin. Great post.

Bristol said...

Came by through Emily's site... I really love what you shared here. I like your description of God's hand working to fill in the chips and smooth the cracks... a very beautiful, healing image! Thanks!

Glynn said...

This was one of the many statements in the chapter that caught my attention, like a knock upside the head. And you turned it into a good poem.

Cindy said...

I love your name "firefly"...and am glad to know another C.S. Lewis fan...and your poem "nailed it"!

Coming in from Emily's...

Blessings...

Connie said...

C.S. Lewis had such a gift for logic and seeing truth!

"So then it seems I am getting better
for each day I see more of my imperfection."...amen!

The deeper we walk into the Holiness of CHRIST, the more "fine tuning" GOD seems to do in us.

Anonymous said...

picking up the pieces and handing them over to God.

Mommy Emily said...

i read mere christianity years ago and it changed my life. thank you for reminding me of this change, friend... i am so encouraged by this. for some days i just feel so far from him for my sin... e.

Blue Cotton Memory said...

It is impossible to truly understand the awesomeness of God if I do not understand my imperfecton. Getting a teen sometimes to grasp that is trying to get a mule to roller skate!

Anna said...

"I pray each day
for more surrender
each day to trust
more of the pieces to His care.
In imperfect brokeness
I am more truly His."
Lovely!

Sandra Heska King said...

He handles with care.

That flower is stunning!