I’m cracking up! By Kerry McGuire Being human means we are made up of cracks. And they are very real, and sometimes very painful. Definitely not something to laugh about. The cracks I am referring to come from the times we find ourselves broken in spirit. They can be caused by the trials and tribulations we face every day. Or maybe they are from our mistakes or sins of the past that still haunt us. Or maybe they are caused by hurtful actions of others that cause us pain and grief, especially if we carry bitterness or grudges in our hearts for a long time. The cracks just seem to go deeper and deeper as we go along our journey. It’s a fact of life. I personally know all about cracks. Some big ones were caused from pain I carried as a result of my parent’s divorce after 28 years of marriage when I was a teenager. Feelings of unworthiness and guilt impacted me deeply, and somehow undermined my confidence and joy in life, including my relationship with God. Then it happened again when my husband and I were trying to conceive in my late twenties. Multiples surgeries and miscarriages during a three-year period occurred, and finally were able to start a family. But what a painful and long process to go through. Talk about a journey of faith! It has taken me a long time to realize that everything is on God’s time. We just have to wait patiently and faithfully for the time will come. I’ve also had to believe God truly loves me just for who I am, no strings attached. I don’t have to overachieve or necessarily do anything. He loves me with my cracks and all. And you, also. Thank goodness we have a forgiving God whose only goal is for us is to love, and not be perfect. We’d all be in trouble then! God loves our cracks. They are opportunities for us to strengthen our relationship with him because they allow his light to shine into our hearts to begin the healing. Sometimes we have to get completely broken up to enable ourselves to accept God’s light, but through our faith, we can pick up the pieces and move on, and let the light shine in. We also have to learn to love our cracks—this means completely accepting our imperfections and understanding they help us get closer to God. They are ultimately the gateway to our eternal reward in heaven. And again, all on God’s time. Not our own. Next time you feel like you are “cracking up,” and I am not talking about laughter here, ask God to shine His light into your wounds and begin the healing. Before you know it, your heart will be overflowing with love and joy because he will rescue you. And the next time those cracks show up again, you’ll be more prepared to face the hardship and difficulty head on. It only requires love. Love for God. Love for those around you. And love for yourself—cracks and all. “I rely on your constant love; I will be glad, because you will rescue me.” Psalms 13:5