From Broken to Beautiful

I have heard a lot of women describe themselves as "broken" when they realize they can't continue living in the same self-defeating ways they always have. Sometimes they've just stopped using drugs or alcohol. Sometimes they are just coming out of a painful, toxic relationship. No matter the reason it is not an enjoyable experience.

The good news is that I have seen many women, after finding resources that help them heal, after grieving the loss of their old lives, transform their "brokenness" into beautiful. When they are in the midst of the pain they typically don't see how they will ever have a different perspective on it, that they will one day be able to share their experience to help another hurting soul.

I liken the healing process to making stained glass art. First, it's like our Higher Power has designs for our lives. Each place we experience huge, life-changing shifts creates a new panel. We hit painful times and feel like our lives are in pieces. We can't see the bigger picture and can't make sense of all the parts that feel scattered.

As we begin healing, it's like our Higher Power is "stretching the lead" for the "stained glass art". HP does it to get the kinks and twists out of the lead. We are being stretched as we grow and we cut away the pieces that no longer fit. Our Higher Power then fits the "lead" around the "glass pieces". Eventually a coherent picture emerges. We are shaped and molded. We are put back together in ways we never could have imagined. We are able to make sense of senseless tragedies.

Some women carry shame about their pasts. They may consider their experiences "tainted". My hope is that they are able to reflect back on their lives and see the beautiful stained glass art that their Higher Power has created from their seemingly broken pieces.