Last night, I had the consecrated privilege of being with the women of Kenansville Baptist Church and of bringing them the night’s “entertainment” for their annual ladies’ banquet. I had no idea what was “on” the menu, and I’m certain that they could have said the same regarding my contribution to the evening.
Each year, they gather in rich fellowship to enjoy a delicious meal served to them by the men of their church—men donned in their crisp white linen and bow ties and with the gentility to rival any star five maitre’d. The tables were themed and decorated according to individual liking—an unspoken contest of sorts. Some with the rich decadence of roses and gold and textured linen. Some with the more casual of camping and family memories and snowmen. All tables were immaculately laid with the finest love and care of heaven.
Kenansville, NC. Perhaps not the place that the casual passerby would peg for fine dining; still and yet, the place of its happening last night, and I felt so honored to simply be the recipient of such a lavish consideration.
During the savoring of delectable cheesecakes and while the coffee was sipping hot, I was asked to share the “word” that God had laid upon my heart. It was a hard fought word for me … one that had been working its way in and out of me for the better part of three months as I prepared for our evening together.
It is a word that has confronted me, challenged me, and forced me to a deeper point of understanding as it pertains to my place within the grand scheme of God’s breathing and extraordinary kingdom.
Becoming a “living stone from brokenness.”
To articulate the depth of what that “phrase” has meant to me over the past several years would take too long. Still and yet, I tried, at least for the better part of forty-five minutes. I imagine its truth to be a “word” that will continue its shaping over me in the days and seasons to come.
Why?
Because I, like you, live in a broken world where pain and grief and all manner of sufferings will occasionally be our portion. If not in our own flesh, then most certainly in the lives of those who share our tables and our pews. And while I’ve not had a bad life, I’ve had a broken one at times; I bet that you could voice the same.
The true measure of a difficult season’s worth doesn’t always shine forth in the immediate. That’s the way of brokenness. It buries. It works us and sometimes wearies us to the point of no longer believing that our lives were meant for anything more than simply “holding on” and “getting through.” I know. I’ve lived it, and I’m not so far along in my life with Jesus to occasionally revisit that view and hold it as my own. But here’s the truth of the matter—God’s truth, not the truth according to me and my weary worn flesh.
Living stones are the way and life of a resurrected heart. To be the contrast—to walk and ruminate in the death and dying of a rubbled estate—is not to take Jesus and his suffering for what it was … for what it continues to be.
Our ticket to freedom.
Not freedom from the carrying of our own cross. The cross is the way of the crucified life. But the freedom in knowing that it can be done, through us and most days, in spite of us because within us is the pulsing and breathing witness of the One who enables us to rise and live above the truth of our broken estate.
No one has ever known and will ever know the full measure of the brokenness that our Savior willingly took upon himself on our behalf. If anyone had a reason to balk at the weight and the carry of some heavy stones, it was our Lord. But he didn’t, and he doesn’t, and for us to think that Calvary didn’t matter—that it was all for nothing because somehow we’re still considerably burdened and wearied by the load that we shoulder—well, that is to miss the mystery and the truth of a living stone’s surrender.
When we bring them all—the broken and the battered stones of our past … of our now—when we surrender them to the foot of the cross and release them to the hands of the One who earned the privilege of holding them as his own, then we, like the living Stone, become the makings of an eternal kingdom that is meant to last.
Your broken … my broken, cemented and rooted within the brokenness of the cross, stands as a living witness and monument to the truth of God’s magnificent grace.
It doesn’t make sense, but it sure paints lovely. More than the eyes can see, more than the ears can hear, and more than the mind can imagine. An incomparable glory that shines with the fingerprints of God as he works our broken into his portrait called forever.
Living stones from brokenness. Our gift to God’s “kingdom come.” Our surrender to God’s “kingdom now.”
What a honor to offer Him my everything. What a humbling to be allowed to write it and to join alongside Him in nights like last night, when I am given the platform to speak it. May I never get over and beyond my awe of such moments. Thus, I pray…
Thank you, Father, for the gift of brokenness. For the truth of what it means to you as you work it into your kingdom plans and your living witness. I don’t have much to offer you beyond what I have lived, and what I have lived has not always been my best; still and yet, you ask for it, and your asking is enough to warrant my surrender in the matter. Make me a living stone, Lord; one like You that breathes with the story of Calvary’s grace and that sings with the melody of heaven’s love. Humbly I bow before your throne and thank you for the consecrated privilege of sacred participation in your kingdom. Amen.
~elaine
Elaine,
I enjoyed your video clip!
Melanie@Bella~Mella
Looks like a special evening for everyone. I LOVE events where each table is decorated by the host(ess) and you get a glimpse of who they are. Gives me an idea for an event I’ve been asked to speak at…(glad you’re back; sounds like you’re refreshed. I look forward to ‘hearing’ what you’re working on.)
Hi,
I’m visiting your blog via Beth’s at Outnumbered Three to One! Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful post.
God does use our imperfections and times of weakness for His glory if we surrender to Him. Thank you for letting me stop by!
The tables look amazing!
Wonderful message- thanks for sharing much to think about.
Sory I wasn’t able to access the clip.
May the joy of Lord be yours
Willnette
Well, what a precious treat that was to enjoy. Thank you for the opportunity of allowing me to be part of your evening.
Christ was the “Stone” that the builder’s rejected. We too face that rejection, and it’s often what breaks us. So thankful to know the Craftsman who made this stone and can repair it. How ofen He has picked up my broken pieces and mended my heart. In the doing He has restored and written a new song over my life. A song not in my previous repetoire, and although some of the accompaniment sounds dissonant, there’s a beautiful melody that emerges.
Thanking Him for the music of the night,
Joy
You are such a blessing! I would still like you to come and teach/speak around here at some point. Thanks for being obedient and answering God’s call on your life…….your love for Him is contagious!!! Love you and your family!!!!
Praise God that He uses our broken pieces for the glorious. What a delightful evening you had! The themed tables were so clever. I love getting a glimpse of what other churches do…to see how God is working outside the four walls of my own church.
I know that through your talk you touched many women and reached a place in their hearts that needed to hear a fresh word from the Lord. (I know some of the men needed to hear what God had for them that night too.)
P.S. Loved the cross. Is that the one you made? Very impressive, indeed!
Blessings and prayers,
Kelli
Elaine… I so loved the video… please don’t hold out on us… we need “the rest of the story”! Speak it, pray it, and say it… we all need to hear it!
Oh, Elaine, I’m sitting on the edge of my seat…I can hardly wait to watch the rest of your message on the video!
What a great idea to have the themed tables. Those men deserve a pat on the back for a job well done. :o)
I love the cross. Did you buy it or did you make it?
Blessings to you, sister-girl!
I want you to come and just speak in my living room. I’m sitting here pen in hand…waiting for the next video portion so I can keep taking notes.
Blessed friend of mine, you are a living stone singing the song.
May I sing the song, too. Oh Father God, may I sing Your song too.
Wonderful reminder!! So enjoyed the video. That is a great idea to post a video clip!
The ladies did a fantastic job with decorating!!
Leah
how beautiful those broken stones are on that cross. thank you for sharing that video. wish I was there!!!
I couldn’t stay away from you. Blessings!
In His Graces~Pamela
Nodding at Kristen’s comment. I’ll even clean my house! (and that is a BIG deal!) The gathering looked lovely, and this message is so important. Brokenness has been used so much in my life. Thank you, dear Eileen, for reminding me it is never more than Christ had to bear.
I know you were a great “dessert” to the ladies at this banquet! This was a very sweet post today Elaine. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Marilyn
Elaine…I’m thankful that you are no longer sitting on the bench. And that the time God provided for you to do so….is challenging the rest of us to reflect upon our own weary, our own stones, our own brokeness to offer the King of kings and Lord of lords…because His shoulders do not weary.
I’m thankful…Sister, I’m so very thankful.
Love to YOU,
Yolanda
Elaine! you look so good! But your message rocks!
Living stones. Yes. What a timely message for me, friend.
I’m so glad you’re back.
Love you.
I love “grace”.
What a blessing! Thank you for such timely words. I can truly relate to what you are saying. Walking with God is all about surrender, but I’ll be the first to admit that I struggle with complete relinquishment. Thank you for such a beautiful, challenging message. God bless.
Dear Father God, thank YOU for allowing Elaine to share YOUR word with those ladies and with us. I bow before YOU in tears Father God, thanking YOU for making me a living stone for YOUR purpose in eternity. I praise YOU and glorify YOU in Jesus’ name, amen.
Elaine, how I wish I could have been there! Great message!!! Keep “singing” my friend, God is using you in a mighty, might way!!!
Precious Elaine,
Your written message of sharing is awesome. Your verbal message is powerful. I felt like I was there. The photos were beautiful and the Cross is…I have no words but my soul is uplifted.
Thank you for sharing my friend. Love you. You are a tremendous blessing to us all.
incomparable glory that shines with the fingerprints of God as he works our broken into his portrait called forever.
I loved this line best!What a wonderful picture of what God does with our brokeness!
I bet those ladies walked away so very blessed that evening!
Ps I love that the men decorated each table so uniquely! You had choices!
Every once in a while I read, see and hear something that warms my heart beyond description. Elaine is a minister in almost every sense of that word. Back in the days, when I was just a ‘boy preacher’, my parents drove 60 miles and surprised me by their presence. Today, I listened to Elaine’s exposition about ‘living stones’ and I just want to say, the ‘girl preacher’ made me more pleased than ever to call her my daughter, Elaine. Love, Dad
Love, love, love it!
Okay, your Dad’s comment just made me cry!!
Elaine, I loved the last couple of sentences of your prayer. Many times your prayers are just what I would like to say to God, too. Thanks for leading…
I’ll have to come back sometime to watch the video!!
I wish I could have been there to glean all that you left for the women to pick up. I love the fact that the men served the women in such special attire – reminding us of Christ’s love for His bride [the church]! Bless those men too and bless you for sharing your heart.
Looking UPward and Choosing JOY,
Stephanie
“The true measure of a difficult season’s worth doesn’t always shine forth in the immediate. That’s the way of brokenness. It buries. It works us and sometimes wearies us to the point of no longer believing that our lives were meant for anything more than simply “holding on” and “getting through.”
Another incredible teaching Elaine.
Enjoyed hearing you talk as well.
Oh, the tables were soooooooo nice!!
I’m sure the ladies enjoyed having you♥
…and this is why I adore your blog so my friend. Elaine, if only I could have been there in your audience. Would you believe that I just read that very scripture this evening during the women’s Bible study I have here on Monday evenings. His word didn’t stop moving when you finished speaking there…it is still active. Still doing a work.
Hugging you in my heart and wishing I could stop by every single day.
p.s. I almost forgot, you are one of the seven blogs that I am highlighting this month, for my blogs of the month.
Elaine, I just wanted to thank you for your encouragement at RefreshMoments. I’m always glad to see that you’ve stopped by because I know you “get it.” I’d love to have more visitors, but there’s something to be said for ‘quality over quantity.’ We have different ways of expressing ourselves, but I think our thoughts run on the same track. Thank you for being such a faithful friend.
I enjoyed your article on Exemplify Online too. It’s nice to see you in another venue. (I get a turn in August!)
Good Morning Elaine & co.,
I just wanted to write a brief "Thank you" whilst here at work..for yet again, another wonderfully written (& Vlogged!) post here! I always feel so much better, and inspired when I surf on by here, cousin!
much love,
Carolyn -by way of L.A.
shalom~
Hi Elaine,
Just wanted to drop you a note and let you know I read your article in the Exemplify online magazine. It was great! Saw your blog highlighted as well. Very Cool!
That was a WORD, friend! What a treat to sit under your teaching on a random Tuesday in another state! Ah…technology!
Loved your article today at Exemplify – always love seeing you and “reading” you around the web.
Blessings this day,
Melinda
Thank you so much for sharing this…
We are talking a lot about brokenness… as well as living it!!!
God bless you my dear friend
I love the message God gave you. It really spoke to my heart, especially since I’m currently leading a class on “The Radical Cross.” You are a gifted writer and speaker!
Elaine, I just stopped by after reading your article at Exemplify Online’s March Issue… I was totally, totally, overflowing while I was reading your article! Just wanted to say thanks. Our God is awesome!!!
Sheila
Looks like a beautiful event and a beautiful message. It’s hard to be thankful for brokenness, yet that is when God shines brightest…
wifeforthejourney:
As they say, “there’s nothing like being there.” It was great to be your road crew, manager, cheerleader and camera man this past Saturday. Your contribution to the “Exemplify” e-zine was a wonderful testimony to Creation and the character of our God.
I’m so glad to see the way your ministry is taking root here at home and on the internet. Thanks for allowing God to build you into the wonderful woman that you are!
Love,
~ Billy
What an amazing blog this is: inspired writing, excellent video, eloquent and inspired speaking, beautiful singing…what more could your audience desire? You have gifts in abundance; thanks for sharing them!
How do we check into Exemplify? We don't want to miss anything!
Love,
R&B
Oh it’s so good to hear your voice again!!! Loved your post and your teaching. Takes my breath away to reflect on how He takes our brokenness and makes something beautiful, something whole again. He has surely done that with you my friend.
Praying for your troubled heart tonight. Thanks for sharing with me on my blog. Wish I could be there to pray with you but just know there’s another Carolina girl with you on her mind.
Sweet blessings, hugs and prayers.
Renee
Hey Mrs. Elaine!:)
Praise the Lord for your post:) Amen, my SISTER!:) I prayed for you:):)
katiegfromtennessee
What a great night! Listened to a portion of your clip…you are a gifted communicator, girl!