Our Brokenness Has a Purpose

My family has a Christmas suitcase filled with memories. When our kids were young, we'd go pick out a new Christmas book every year, which have now become worn and tattered over the years we spent reading them together.

As we added new books each year, we were not just collecting stories, but moments of connection as a family. My absolute favorite is Max Lucado’s “The Crippled Lamb.” We've read it so many times—at home and even during our Christmas Eve services at church.

It’s the story of a little lamb named Joshua who has a crippled leg. Because of his limitation, he can’t go with the other lambs to the fresh pasture, and feels isolated and sad. But his limitation—his brokenness—is what keeps him close to the stable, where he'll be a part of the greatest moment in history. When Mary and Joseph arrive, Joshua is there. His purpose isn't to run with the flock, but to use his little, fuzzy, warm body to comfort the newborn King. His brokenness became his purpose.

It's a beautiful, fictional tale, but it perfectly captures a profound truth: God can take our broken realities and transform them into a beautiful story of purpose and hope.

Think about this precious scripture in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

Like Joshua, we all have things we wish were different—a physical challenge, a past mistake, or a sense of not belonging. The world tells us these are limitations, but God can take what causes us to feel isolated and use it to draw us closer to Him and others. Your unique story, including the broken parts, is not an accident—it's part of the beautiful story God is writing for your life.

Let's pray…

Lord, thank you for the story of Joshua, the crippled lamb. Help me to see my own limitations and brokenness not as a curse, but as a unique part of the story You are writing for my life. Reconcile my reality with Your purpose, and help me to find my way to a place where I can serve You just as I am. Amen.

Never forget my friend,

You are a miracle!