What Broke You?

I’m not shy about the fact that I married a great man. He’s faithful, attractive, courageous, dependable . . . I could go on. But what surprised me after we got married was the recurring question I’d get from other women: “What did you do to get such a great guy?” Often to the asker’s surprise, each time I’d respond, “I did everything wrong.”

It’s true.

I didn’t “deserve” an incredible man or a wonderful marriage because of anything I’d done. Quite the opposite, actually. I stumbled and strayed more than I’d like to admit while navigating singleness. But my faults and flaws were met with God’s overabundant grace.

We are not perfect, and blessings are not prizes.

That’s just not how this whole thing works—thank goodness. This is such a relief because only one person was ever able to do this life without fault. That same person now sits at the right hand of God advocating for His truth and power to take root in our lives—not through our works but through His grace.

Christ Himself is the avenue that allows us to receive the gifts of God. James 1:17 states that “every good and perfect gift is from above.” Notice the use of the word gift over prize or reward. Any fruit we yield or praiseworthy portion we exhibit begins and ends with His goodness, not our own.

I think somewhere in our human attempt at being good, we made the course jagged. God never asks His children to be perfect. Instead, He asks for our hearts and obedience—instruments through which He gives us wisdom and guidance.

My hope is that we learn to correct how we view ourselves in both times of brokenness and blessings. I hope no one else wonders what I did to get blessed; but rather, what I’m doing with my blessing. Every one of us has been entrusted with some type of blessings we can either take for granted or make an impact with.

The one blessing we all have is the gift of a second chance—for our redemption and God’s repurposing. God offers that to you freely, but before you can wholeheartedly take His hand, you must let go of what you’re still holding on to. You need to break up with what broke you.

Prayer: God, you can have it all! Show me what areas you want to heal and what blessings you want to use.