Early this morning, I ran my fingers along the bowl sitting in two pieces on my kitchen counter. It’s been there for a couple of days now since it somehow split while in the sink. I kept thinking I could fix it, glue it back together since the break is so surgical.

 As I was trying to decide today if I would try to repair it or toss it out, my mind flashed back to trip I took more than 25 years ago to Germany to visit my baby sister.  I brought the set of dishes from which this cereal bowl came while traveling through Germany with my sister and her family, who were stationed in Frankfurt, and my oldest sister and her daughter, with whom I flew from the United States.

The good memories held in one small broken bowl make it hard for me to just throw it out, even though some might say it’s time to replace the entire well-used set anyway.  I pressed the pieces together and decided to get a cup of tea. Maybe I’ll get the super glue and make it whole again; I don’t know yet.

I went on with my routine only to find my broken bowl becoming a metaphor for my morning. Other broken things kept coming into focus and before noon, I was wondering what is going on, what could I do to help fix them.  Some things are not mine to fix, I also recognize.

While talking to my son, I was reminded that his reasoning needs an overhaul, some synapses in his thinking need reconnecting.  He’s been through a lot lately, has taken us through a lot. Just when I think he’s making progress , I hear some little thing—nothing really big but something important to me— that leads me to wonder when will it all click for him, when will he “get it” and make the best of his life. Maybe something said today will trigger a connection that moves him further along.

Then, a series of messages rushed into my email basket showing a strained professional relationship getting worse. Things seemed to have accelerated overnight.  Broken relationships have impact beyond just the two people involved. They can affect the entire organization, especially in the small one of which I am a part.  A glib, quick fix will not suffice, I can see that. Some long-term strategies must be applied for the health of the people and the organization.

 I am praying for guidance. God is the ultimate fixer and will know what I can do to assist my son (so far He’s given me great advice) and to help bring harmony to the other situation. I am believer in a God who can mend our broken things ,and I have faith that He will. He’s more trust worthy and longer lasting than super glue.  

I fix the bowl myself.

Related posts:

1. Righteous Mind with Rev. Cynthia T. Turner