Psalm 147:3 reminds us, that “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” The Japanese art of kintsugi reminds me of God’s healing. He makes beauty with our broken pieces once we allow His love to put us back together.
Our scars tell a story—a testimony of resilience and healing. When we allow God to color those stories with His grace, they become a masterpiece that inspires and leads others.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
In a world that often pushes us toward perfection, the Japanese art of kintsugi offers a refreshing perspective. Kintsugi, meaning “golden joinery,” is the practice of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or platinum. The cracks and imperfections are not hidden but highlighted, turning the once-broken item into something even more beautiful and valuable than before.
This ancient art carries a profound message: brokenness is not the end of the story. Brokenness is not the end of your story! In fact, it can lead to a transformation that adds beauty, strength, and uniqueness.
I invite you to have a personal reflection
How often do we try to hide our flaws or imperfections? As humans, the temptation to compare ourselves to others—based on appearance, achievements, or social status—can lead us to feel inadequate. When I reflect on the philosophy behind kintsugi, I see an invitation to embrace my own “cracks” and let them shine. To embrace my pain, to highlight my story of resiliency and to share with the world what God has done in me.
Imagine if we saw our past struggles, wounds, and flaws as part of what makes us whole. Like the pottery repaired with gold, our experiences—no matter how painful—can become a source of strength and a testimony to resilience.
Lessons From Kintsugi
1. No One is Perfect, and Your Imperfections (cracks) are Unique
Society often tells us to strive for the best, to do things with excellence, to push ourselves to perfection, but kintsugi teaches us that imperfections tell a story. Each crack in the pottery represents an event, a moment in time, or a lesson learned. Similarly, our scars—both physical and emotional—reflect our growth and the journey that has shaped us.
2. Healing Adds Value
The repaired pottery becomes more valuable than it was before. This reminds me that healing isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about building on it. What you w been through brings value when you allow healing to take place. Whether it’s through mental health counseling, Christian or mental wellness & life coaching, faith, or personal reflection, the process of healing can make us more compassionate, wiser, and stronger.
3. Resilience Is Beautiful
The art of kintsugi turns brokenness into beauty. Isn’t that what God does with our lives? He takes our broken pieces and restores them in ways we couldn’t imagine.
A Call to Embrace Your Cracks
What if, instead of hiding your flaws or comparing yourself to others, you celebrated what makes you unique? What if your struggles became the gold that shines through your life and leads others to healing?
The beauty of kintsugi is that it doesn’t pretend the breaks never happened. Instead, it transforms them into something glorious. You, too, can embrace your story and let your light shine through the cracks.
As you go about your day, remember this: You don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. You are valuable, not in spite of your brokenness, but because of the beauty and strength that comes from being made whole.
Encourage. Empower. Equip. Live to your God-given potential, cracks and all.
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©️2024 Denise Kilby New Hope MHCLC Assoc. All rights reserved
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