As I walked into a backyard bridal shower, a lovely scene awaited the guests and the soon-to-be bride. White linens covered round tables while vases of flowers took center stage.

Suddenly, a strong wind interrupted the perfectly sunny day. One of the vases fell, causing water and flower petals to spill onto the pristine covering.

The beautiful glass vase was shattered.

Two ladies and I sprang into action. We scooped up the shards of glass and carefully placed them in what remained of the broken container.

One particularly brave woman picked up the pieces of glass like they were torn pieces of paper. I said, “Be careful. Don’t cut yourself.”

She smiled and continued to confidently clean-up the jagged edges without one cut.

The hostess went inside to search for a replacement vase. Moments later, she emerged with a heavier, equally beautiful, container. It would withstand a similar wind gust with no problem.

She brought fresh water to replenish the surviving flowers. A couple of dabs with a paper towel soaked up the spill.

The bridal shower resumed.

The lovely décor was saved.

Life’s broken moments are rarely resolved this easily.

The spill of a misunderstanding can take months or years to clean up.

The shards of malicious deeds or an unexpected misfortune can scar the soul, sometimes beyond recognition.

In the six-week series, 3 Ways to Focus on Renewal, we’ve looked at renewing our mind with God’s Word and renewing our yield to His will. The last two posts in this series focuses on renewing our hope in His redemption.

Because just like the collapsed centerpiece at the bridal shower, our brokenness in life can get better.

I’ve seen God’s grace and mercy spring into action to address all kinds of tragedies, from horrific circumstances consuming a community to individual choices gone wrong.

Christ’s redemption is our continual rescue.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. (Psalm 34:18 NLT)

Broken becomes better when I realize life’s worst moments are best left in the hands of God.

Sometimes there’s a slow release of what feels like my worst day or a regretful decision.

Other times, I have the boldness of the woman at the shower, confidently grabbing the pieces of my shattered heart and giving them to Him.

If I don’t leave the damage in His hands, I risk being repeatedly cut by shards of grief, guilt or whatever caused my pain. However,

Broken becomes better when I let go of the fear that better will never come. Like the paper towels containing water from the spill, fear absorbs hopelessness and tells me “worst” will never end.

Thankfully, God’s glory emerges as a weighty expression of who He is. As I grow in His grace and expect His goodness, fear is left behind. And yet,

Broken becomes better as I trust God’s way of restoring my life is better than what I have in mind. My tendency is to try to fix things or to try to fix people. I want the wonder of what was to resurface again.

But that’s a job for Jesus.

He makes all things new. He takes every willing heart and transforms it. His Word pours fresh water redeeming what’s left of life’s messes.

He creates something beautiful even when there’s nothing left at all.

On our best days or in our brokenness, His redemption always offers hope for the heart and joy to the soul.