Broken Shells-Life Lesson from a Child.
Broken Shells…
This post is written by my daughter, Rachel Forrester, (of whom I am very proud) about her daughter, Kennedy. I loved it and asked her if I could share it. I think you’ll love it too!
Cocoa beach was the destination of our family vacation this year. It is one of the best places in the country for shell enthusiasts like us. Collecting shells is one of the last but most important parts of our trips to the beach. Kennedy and Knox both find joy in selecting the best shells to take back home to their family and friends.
As we skimmed the water’s edge I found myself searching for perfect shells. No blemishes. No broken edges. Leaving behind any that I didn’t view as worthy to be collected.
As we continued along our walk toward the pier Kennedy and Knox dodged in and out of the water searching for shells. As the cool water splashed their feet they would dart back toward us with a shell tucked tightly in their precious hands. As my hand began to fill with Kennedy’s shells I studied what she was bringing me.
One of the million plus things that I treasure about Kennedy is that she finds beauty in uniqueness. The more broken, rugged, oddly shaped and strangely colored the shell was, the more she treasured it. She gleamed as she ran to show me each shell she had picked and described to me what she found beautiful in each one.
She’s right…
There is beauty in the brokenness, uniqueness and differences of them all•
Our society tells us that perfection is the norm and anything less is a failure. What a lie we have been told! Only one was perfect, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Through all of our imperfections He calls us His children. With all of our brokenness, uniqueness and differences he views us as HIS TREASURE.
Just as Kennedy found beauty in all shells without judgement, He finds beauty in all of us.
From Nana...
As a teacher I saw way too many students who thought they were less than beautiful. Since my teaching days I’ve met many adults who struggle with this, too. In their minds they see themselves as “Less” than others and it’s just not true.
I am going to ask my granddaughter for some of her shells and I plan on keeping them on my bedside table in a little box of treasures. Every time I am feeling inadequate or less than the other shells on the beach (too old, too wrinkled, too tired) I am going to look at those broken shells and remember sweet Kennedy and her reminder that we don’t have to be perfect to be a child of God.
#faith #brokenshells #children #grandchildren
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Yes it does!
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Thank you Patrick and that was a good vow you made. I once wrote a letter to the editor and raked a man over the coals for something he’d done at a board meeting. What he did was wrong but after I did it I felt horrible. I vowed never to use writing again to call someone out….even if they were wrong. I want my writing to lift people up, not drag them down. There’s too much of that in the world today.
Hi Christie, Thanks so much for stopping by. I love this post too. Mainly because it was written by my daughter about my granddaughter. Nothing makes a mom more proud than stories like this one. Do come back and visit us again!
Oh my goodness that was a beautiful story! I loved it. Thanks so much for sharing it with me. The cracked pot that watered the flowers touched me….I’m definitely a cracked pot…lol
I agree, Alissa. Hope your boys have a great back to school experience!
You are very welcome Amy!
I love this post. It is so true. Thank you for sharing on Inspire Me Monday.
Society does get in hang ups over things. I wish we’d lighten up a bit.
Such a beautiful post, Teresa.
Embrace the flaws and imperfections in ourselves and others. Perhaps the very things we perceive as faults in ourselves and others are precisely the things that make us special and useful to the world.
And I have a story to share – http://ofmiceandramen.blogspot.com/2011/03/cracked-pot.html
Out of the mouths of babes…Thank you for the important reminder, Teresa. Sometimes the seeming imperfections are the most interesting, unique parts. I found your post on the GRAND Social.
Wow, that is so deep and beautiful. Thanks for sharing this. Crazy, because on Facebook I just posted something about I vow I took thirty years ago (and have done ok with it) and that was to never laugh at another man’s endeavors and this proves it. Thanks for that.
Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
I found your blog via Life of Faith as your neighbor over there in their link up.
Beautiful words and so important to remember.
It is amazing what looks fascinating through the lens of childs eyes!!!
Smart kid!! Our posts our similar this week (tho different takes)
Thanks, Pat!
Amen!
You too!
She seems to have a great imagination, sounds like she is going to grow up to be a smart young lady 🙂
Have a shelltastic week 🙂
Looks like there is another writer in the family, and Kennedy is already inspiring her. Such lessons we learn from the littles.
This was a very touching story! I agree that society puts too much emphasis on perfection and beauty. Social media seems to promote that these days to excess. Imperfections make us interesting and unique and your granddaughter already senses that in her shell collection.