Years ago Steve’s Aunt Louise gave us a little ceramic church music box. With its drab gray walls, greenish-gray roof, and standard steeple, the church did not grab attention. But the arched windows on each side were filled with tiny chips of colored glass, and when lit from within the little church sparkled with glorious light.
Sometime when our three children were young, the church was broken by “Not Me.” Fortunately, the pieces were large and Steve was able to glue them back together. When the light was turned on, the cracks didn’t even show.
But as the years passed, the glue began to discolor and turn dark. The poor little music box became a sad sight, and I was about to throw it away when our youngest son–probably in high school by this time–said, “Oh, Mom! You can’t get rid of the church! That’s been my favorite Christmas decoration since I was a little kid!”
So Jeremy saved the music box from destruction.
He finished college, married a sweet girl from our church, and moved twice more while attending seminary. Somewhere along the way the music box disappeared.
Each year as he and his wife Nancy decorated for Christmas, he’d remember fondly that little ceramic church and wonder what happened to it.
Seminary graduation came and went, four years at his first church appointment also passed. While settling into their second parsonage, Jeremy finally unpacked a carton labeled “Memorabilia” that had been sealed up since he left our home.
Buried at the bottom was a sealed shoebox. Jeremy sliced through the tape with his pocketknife, lifted the lid, and brought into the light a lumpy, tissue-wrapped object.
Within moments Jeremy held in his hands that precious, long-missing ceramic church. And joyful tears stung his eyes.
He quickly found a new bulb and plugged the cord into a nearby socket. The windows instantly filled with glorious rainbow light. Jeremy didn’t even notice the fissures or dark, crusty glue.
Isn’t it amazing to consider that, just as Jeremy loves that damaged music box, God loves us—scarred, and imperfect as we are? We too were just as lost as that little church—sealed up in a box of our own prideful independence.
But Jesus came looking for us. He brought us into his glorious Light, and filled us with the Light of his inviting, benevolent grace.*
Now, we have the privilege to shine with gleaming Light just like that little church—in spite of our scars.
* * * * * * * * * *
God of all grace, I thank you for rescuing me from mere existence in my self-made box, and bringing me into a rich, full life with you. Even though cracks and blemishes remain in my being, what you see is not what I have been but what I am becoming—holy and blameless and filled with Light—for that day when I see you as you are!
(John 10:10; Ephesians 1:4; John 8:12; 1 John 3:2)
*Often defined by using an acronym: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
Scripture references: Luke 15:8-10; John 8:12; Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 3:24; Matthew 5:14.
(Photo credits: Jeremy Ruegg (2); http://www.flickr.com; http://www.heartlight.org (Ben Steed); http://www.verseaday.com.)
From the Inside Out 
What a beautiful story. Merry Christmas to you, Steve, and your family.
Thank you, Grace. May you enjoy a blessed Christmas with your family–your church family too!
Nancy, I love that precious story. It brought back many memories to me as I was reading it. Thank you. My love and best wishes to you and Steve for a very blessed Christmas and the coming year.
Thank you, Ruth. So glad I was able to bring back happy memories for you. Merry Christmas to you also!
I loved that church, cracks and all, and am so happy it is sill around.
Shall we have Jeremy bring it?! 🙂
Beautiful, Nancy! I am sure it brings back memories to all of us in many ways.
Thank you for sharing. Love to you and Steve and the family
Thank you, Janet. And Merry Christmas to your and your family as well!
Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful memory! And praise God that ‘…we have the privilege to shine with gleaming Light just like that little church—in spite of our scars.’ Despite my flaws, frailties, and failures I am precious to Him!
It IS an astounding privilege he gives us! So glad you found the post meaningful.
“Jesus came looking for us”……..Thanks for that Nancy———-the Guyton (Guy,jr.) that God called has been lost for over 25 years -thanks for reminding us that Jesus knows just where he is and when He get’s ready to bring him up and take the old wrappings off you will hear us shouting all the way from Apollo Beach!….Merry Christmas-we love you “guys”………….Guy & Lynda
Indeed, we will shout with you! Merry Christmas to you both, Guy and Lynda!
Perfect.
Thank you, Mitch. So appreciate your input and that of our savvy friends in the Writers’ Group!
such a neat memory and story. Merry Christmas to both of you and all your families!
Thank you, Jean! So glad you enjoyed the story.
I love this !! I can only imagine the joy Jeremy felt when he found that treasure!! I am so thankful our God loves us in spite of our flaws and enables us to shine for Him…I love the analogy of how precious the church was although cracked and old…and how God loves us despite our “cracks”.
Amen, Lisa. Praise God for his goodness to us (Psalm 31:19)!
Talk about a metaphor! This should be a picture book (for all ages) . . . just sayin’
Thank you, Laurie. Another possibility you’ve sparked for me!
Nancy,
Small mighty things. That’s what the Lord uses.
Merry Christmas,
Gary
On Thu, Dec 13, 2018 at 1:42 PM From the Inside Out wrote:
> Nancy Ruegg posted: ” Years ago Steve’s Aunt Louise gave us a little > ceramic church music box. With its drab gray walls, greenish-gray roof, > and standard steeple, the church did not grab attention. But the arched > windows on each side were filled with tiny ” >
Love its character cracks. Makes a great Christmas decor piece!
Jeremy sure thinks so! 🙂