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As those who know me in real life already know, I'm a math geek. Wired with an analytical brain and computer programmer before my stay-at-home-life. So its probably no surprise that lunch conversation with my two preschoolers turned to fractions. Two halves making a whole. Cutting a whole into two equal parts.
And then my five year old said, "two halves of banana make a whole banana, but two halves of bread [slice] make a sandwich."
I chuckled at her observation when it happened and recorded it, but didn't think much else about it until I started pondering today's prompt.
When does putting two parts together make not just a whole, but something else entirely?
In life that is often a faith thing, a God talent, something that is beyond us to do.
Two imperfect humans become one in marriage, something stronger, more resilient and more able to handle life together -- something more than the two parts individually.
Weaving children into the fabric of a family, healing past hurts, creating a new larger family as a result.
Its also something I've seen God do in my life. Take the broken pieces, the fractions of the whole, broke apart by sin and failure, and not only put them together to make me whole but make something better weaving in the Holy Spirit.
It is how community (especially faith community) is supposed to work -- standing together with those God has placed in our lives to strengthen, encourage and support them -- to be a better version of ourselves as a group working for a common good, accomplishing more and reaching further than ever could have happened on our own.
Its not always easy -- being transparent and giving enough to be part of a bigger whole, all the changes that occur to be made whole, having the fabric of your life changed and weaved together again.
But sometimes you need to cut the slice of bread in half, not to make it whole again, but to make a sandwich.
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Hey Krista, visiting from fmf.
ReplyDelete" it's not always easy -- being transparent and giving enough to be part of a bigger whole, all the changes that occur to be made whole, having the fabric of your life changed and weaved together again."
This is really hard, being transparent and watching how it's either taken immediately or it's met with silence. And then you wonder if what you gave was enough, but needing to leave it with God. And sometimes, well lately for me, it's harder. Especially when you don't understand what's going on, except waiting.
Thank you for sharing. ❤️
Julia
coming from FMF #63. I'm reminded of Ecclesiastes that I just read this week. 9 Two are better than one because a good return comes when two work together. 10 If one of them falls, the other can help him up. But who will help the pitiful person who falls down alone? 11 In the same way, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm. But how will the one who sleeps alone stay warm against the night? 12 And if one person is vulnerable to attack, two can drive the attacker away. As the saying goes, “A rope made of three strands is not quickly broken.”
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun analogy. I just listened to a podcast by Timothy Keller about friendship and being transparent and real in your friendships. Through my cracks, the light shines. Have a great Friday.
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