8.22.12-Love never fails you

The pieces to the broken heart, before they were painted.  "A broken heart is never put back together quite the same way."

 I led an activity, based on Lectio Divina, that was first recognized from On Earth Peace, an organization through the Church of the Brethren.  Lectio Divina is where continuous prayer of scripture allows a deeper relationship with God to form.  The symbolic representation of a broken heart being put back together, either changed by circumstance or healed by beauty, is how we started.  I find strength in my small group that I wanted to share this experience with them because of it's powerful nature.

The scripture given to me, Psalm 34:4-8, that I used to paint my piece in the background.

 Each participant brought their favorite scripture to the activity, one that they pray over and over to bring them comfort or healing in troubled waters.  We each took a piece of the heart and a scripture at random.  A broken heart is never put back together quite the same way, either because it has been hurt and pieces of the heart are left behind somewhere, or because the heart has been changed and molded into a new thing.  These ladies have been part of the "refilling the empty spaces of my heart that have been taken and never returned" process over the past year, as I hope I have been the same for them as well.  After receiving our scripture and picking our piece of the heart,

Scripture that Rachel used to paint her piece, "...so do not fear..."

 everyone was encouraged to spend time in prayer with the scripture and to paint what the scripture spoke to them.  No one used their own scripture, but each were connected to each other by the bond that the scripture had to someone before and what it had to someone now.  The activity was very meaningful, and representative of not only the deeper relationship built with Christ, but also with each other.  We had new faces join us, which was great to spread the love of the common bond with new children of God. 

The piece that I painted, based on Bekah's favorite scripture, Psalm 34: 4-5 

 The scriptures used in this activity were:

1 Corinthians 7:17
Psalm 139:1, 3b, 7
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Psalm 34:4-5
Isaiah 40:11-13
Joshua 1:9-10
Psalm 46:10
Isaiah 54:13

And the final artwork, where every piece just fell into place exactly as it was supposed to looks something like this.  Where you are right now is God's place for you.  Live and Obey and Love and Believe right there. -1 Corinthians 7:17

The final product, with everyone's piece painted, that fits together exactly how God purposed it to fit.