God's Surprising Treasures

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  • I Was Just a Mudball~Until I Was Broken

I Was Just a Mudball~Until I Was Broken

July 8, 2014 / Cindy Barclay / "Treasure Trove" Blog Roll
14

geodemudballA mudball isn’t much to look at!

It’s unbeautiful.

Bland.

Nothing Special.

Most wouldn’t take a second glance at it, much less pick it up.

 

[Tweet “God sees past our #ugliness to the #treasure within. #transformation”]

 

I was a mudball; encrusted with depression and doubt. My hardened shell covered insecurities.

xx

Through God’s good plans, both teeny and humongous “events”-  finally cracked my self reliance. My pride in my ability to pull myself up by my bootstraps- that was broken.  Maybe even shattered.

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God’s grace broke the outer shell that constrained and defined me,

so He could reveal His hidden treasure.

Maybe, I’m still a mudball- but I’m at least now, I’m an open mudball.  Now, I marvel at the geode inside- not” my” treasure but God’s mystery revealed!  Sure, there’s still some hardened mud on the outside, but the treasure He has deposited shines all the more because I’ve been broken by my neediness and then opened by His amazing love.

geode collage

 

But having been a mudball and having been cracked, I just want to shout to every mudball.

“Bring your crusty self to God- Let Him break away your hardened shell of ineffective coping mechanisms. “

s

[Tweet “Don’t be afraid to be #broken by God- be afraid of staying a mudball. #transformation”]

s

earthenvessel

signature

logo2Surprising Treasures: God “cracks” the mudball to ensure the treasure is revealed.

 

 

Christian Familiy, God of Grace, identity, joyful journey, Special need parenting

14 comments on “I Was Just a Mudball~Until I Was Broken”

  1. Serena Crompton says:
    July 9, 2014 at 11:57 am

    Love you, Cindy! Thanks for this.

    Reply
    • Cindy says:
      July 9, 2014 at 12:57 pm

      Thanks Serena! Love you and your precious outpouring of His love and wisdom! hugs

      Reply
  2. Jeff Barclay says:
    July 9, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    Hebrews 10:24- That is why it is so important to get to know others. Look inside the mud ball, so to speak. To know someone, to know the person inside the mud ball, is to know better how and why to love them. Jesus knows well how and why to love the person in the mud ball.

    Reply
  3. Cindy says:
    July 9, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    Amen! looking inside – believing there is a treasure deposited in every man, woman, or child-

    Reply
  4. Terri Masters says:
    July 9, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    Cindy – Your stories and messages from God are so uplifting! This fits in perfectly with what we are dealing with! Thank you for your wisdom and love! The Lord has truely blessed you with this amazing gift! Love you! Terri

    Reply
    • Cindy says:
      July 10, 2014 at 2:01 am

      God is so good! He always gives me lessons through simple things. I especially see His truths revealed throughout all of creation- fallen though it is- there is still great beauty. And one day- He promises to restore all things to their original intent and glory! I can’t wait to be fully changed. 🙂 Praying for you all. God is the Author and He won’t stop writing.

      Reply
  5. Susan Hughes says:
    July 9, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    I love this! I bring my “crusty self” to God every day and trust in Him to break and reshape me in His image. We’re all like diamonds in the rough. We just have to let Him dig us out of our mud balls and polish us a bit until we shine!

    God’s peace and abundant blessings to you! Thanks for another treasure♥

    Susan

    Reply
  6. Cindy says:
    July 10, 2014 at 2:03 am

    Thanks Susan! 🙂 I feel pretty crusty sometimes but when I gaze at the treasure (glory- salvation) He has deposited in my life! Woohoo! I’m not what I’m going to be but I’m not what I used to be! Thank God for His beauty makeover of our souls! Extreme!

    Reply
  7. Edy says:
    July 10, 2014 at 4:38 am

    Your writing brings Scripture verses to mind “Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.” “We have this treasure in earthen vessels ” This TREASURE! Monumental! 🙂 Reminds me, as well, of a message I once heard about the fragrance of Jesus – the aroma is only released when the perfume bottle is broken open. That’s us, bringing the Good News of Jesus and His love to others through our brokenness. God bless you, dear Cindy, with ongoing discoveries of His treasures! Hugs!

    Reply
    • Cindy says:
      July 12, 2014 at 1:13 pm

      I love how your mind is soaked with scripture Edy! I love the example of the broken alabaster box where Mary poured out the perfume upon Jesus feet! He was BROKEN for us! Only our Great God can bring beauty from brokenness! Hallelujah!

      Reply
      • Edy says:
        July 12, 2014 at 7:36 pm

        Oooh! I love your phrase, a mind SOAKED with scripture – may that always be true! And, I treasure the reminder that Jesus was broken, too, just for us. “For He knows our frame, He remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103)

        Reply
  8. Julie Garmon says:
    July 11, 2014 at 11:07 pm

    Loved this!! I’m a mudball too…been broken several times. Sure isn’t fun but you’re exactly right. Ohhh, how He shines through us afterwards. 🙂

    Reply
    • Cindy says:
      July 12, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      Julie- you don’t just shine- you sparkle! Love you so much friend! thanks for taking the time to comment! hugs and blessings

      Reply
      • Julie Garmon says:
        July 12, 2014 at 2:14 pm

        How kind, Cindy. Thank you, sparky sister!

        xoxo

        Reply

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[panel style=”default” title=”My Surprising Journey” text_align=”left”]

What is God’s Surprising Treasures?

“I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.” Isaiah 45:3

I hope this web site will be an encouragement… [Read More][/panel]

 

 

[panel style=”default” title=”About Cindy” text_align=”left”]Jeff & Cindy

Hi, I’m Cindy- 35 years of “livin” with my prince charming, Jeff. I’m a home maker, not a house wife, parent of 7, memory maker, mama bear, Nana to 11 & counting, Pastor’s wife and I’m daily amazed by the depths of God’s love.

I love reading, home schooling, encouraging others, playing the piano, worshiping, dating my husband, and planning parties and retreats for our clan. Someday, I really want a horse and learn to play the cello and viola.

[/panel]

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