That featured picture is from our recent beach trip. Of course I had to pick up a few shells on this trip. I have container upon container of shells but I still have to get more at every beach we visit. It’s just what I do.

Some people only pick up the most perfect of shells and I must admit that I tend to look for those unbroken shells most often.

I have found some broken ones that are absolutely stunning and it reminds me that even in brokenness there is a beauty that can be found. The above picture is filled with broken shells. Shells that have been tossed and thrown by the water, walked on, and left on the beach for visitors to pick over. I think they are stunning. I really do. Some have been polished smooth by the water. Some have holes where critters have broken through to get the tasty creatures inside. It’s the circle of life, right?

But just looking at this pile of shells reminds me that even in our own lives we are all a bit like these broken shells. Circumstances have tossed and turned us. We have been through things and events that have damaged us inside and sometimes outside and yet — here we are. Showing up day after day, resilient and ready to show up for another day.

There is nothing ugly about being broken. I think God often uses us when we are broken. He is able to show us that even in our brokenness we are loved and beautiful. When I look at the broken bits of some of these shells they simply shine and show a beauty that was not there in the unbroken shell.

I think God uses us at all times in our lives but sometimes when we are in those broken times He is able to use us even more. Just like those broken shells that often get passed over for the perfect ones – our lives are beautiful regardless.

So today go and live your beautiful life and know that you are loved.