There I was, sitting at my desk, fully made up, emotionally taped together, and determined to bury the chaos of yesterday under a to-do list. But no matter how “together” I looked, my soul felt like a water bucket; sloshing over with everything I hadn’t dealt with. Heavy, messy, and definitely leaking.
The day before had been one for the books, a hell of a day, if we’re being honest. And although I’d told myself to shake it off, the residue clung to me like glitter after a toddler’s birthday party.
I was ready to push through when I remembered I owed my friend a call. She’s not one to forget, or let you slide. So, I picked up the phone, plastered on my best fake cheer, and said, “Hey! How are you?”
She responded, “I’m okay, but how are you?”
Now, I had every intention of pulling out the good Christian go-to: “God is good all the time!” But before I could collect my thoughts, like Judas, my mouth betrayed me and said the truth: “I’m just… here.”
That was all it took.
Before I could add another sentence, she went full spiritual ninja, praying down heaven like it was her full-time job. And honestly? It hit. It helped. It cracked something open in me.
Then I heard that still, small voice: “Now pray for yourself.”
So I did. I started thanking God for life, for breath, for not letting me fall apart completely. And somewhere in the middle of praise and tears, I saw it: an image of a broken vase, carefully mended with gold.
It was kintsugi, a Japanese art form where cracked pottery is repaired with gold. The goal isn’t to hide the damage but to highlight it. The very thing that broke it becomes the thing that beautifies it.
God whispered to my heart, “This is you. I don’t hide your brokenness; I heal it in a way that makes it even more beautiful.”
And just then, a scripture rose in my spirit:
“He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
By the time I said “Amen,” I felt lighter. Not because the problems vanished, but because hope had entered the room. My weight was no longer mine to carry.
So here’s the truth: life be “lifing.” Things break. Buckets spill. But if we dare to be honest with God (and maybe with one really good friend), He meets us there. In the overflow. In the cracks. In the valley.
Take it all to God in prayer, even the mess. Especially the mess.
PRAYER
LORD, thank You for not running from our brokenness but running toward it. Thank You for the gentle reminder that You make beauty from cracks and glory from grief. Help us to stop hiding and start healing. Meet us in the spillover and seal every space with Your golden grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Where in your life have you been leaking but pretending you’re holding it all together?
- How can you invite God into those “spillover” moments to begin the healing process?
Shyann Anderson has been saved for some 10 years. A Jamaican, she is a medical device sales executive overseas; and between family, church, and work, she has also found time to author the devotional, “Light for the Journey.”