Recently I met Mark Taylor, a hospital Chaplain. He told us he does a lot of work with teenagers who are in the psychiatric ward. On his days off, he likes to walk along the Norfolk beaches and pick up pieces of sea glass, which he keeps in a jar on his desk at work.
IMAGINE what it feels like to have been valued and whole
IMAGINE what it feels like to have been thrown away, bashed about by the waves and storms of life
IMAGINE what it feels like to be lost on a beach, or in the depths of the oceans
AND THEN...ONE DAY...somebody finds you, picks you up, sees beauty in your brokenness - and treasures you for what you have become, not for what you once were.
He invites the young men and women to choose a pebble to take away with them after their conversation. Mark has written this powerful poem. I pray that these teenagers may be helped by his gentle words of affirmation.
SEA GLASS
I once was part of a vessel
that was beautiful or useful
Yet I’ve been broken, dashed
against the rocks,
and tossed about by the waves
My brokenness, cracks and rough
edges are worn smooth
Now I’m small and fragile,
found by your searching eyes upon the shore
Once again I am a thing of
beauty
still fragile and vulnerable
Hold me in the safety of your
hand,
and see my beauty again
[Pastor Mark Taylor]
What a beautiful , gentle, thought provoking poem.
ReplyDeleteThanks to you, and to Pastor Taylor. Somehow this what just what I needed today.
ReplyDeleteMaguy
❤️
DeleteWhat a beautiful thing to do and the poem is so very powerful in word and deed. I love picking up sea glass and the interesting thing is that there is always more to be found after a stormy tide. ❤️Catriona
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post. What a good man he is and how much he helps these young people. This post lifted my spirits today and reminded me that we are all valued, even if we are a bit old and battered. Thank you Angela.
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DeleteA beautiful concept and a lovely poem.
ReplyDeleteThat is such an inspiring lesson. Thank you for sharing, it's blessed me today.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
❤️
DeleteTen years to turn broken glass into beautiful sea glass; a lesson in patience.
ReplyDeleteThat's very true
DeleteI've always loved sea glass, and the way that Pastor Taylor uses it to help troubled teenagers is wonderful, as is his poem. One reflection I have is that not all sea glass comes from beautiful glass objects. Some come from rather ugly bottles and glass objects, just as some people have a very unfortunate start in life that is far from beautiful and then subsequent events shatter them more easily. So the image of the beautiful sea glass is particularly hope filled.
ReplyDeleteA lovely comment ❤️
DeleteThat is wonderful ministry and poem! Seaglass is a glorious transformation of something broken! Kx
ReplyDeleteYes, it is really beautiful
DeleteA beautiful poem and sucha special way to connect with these young people. God bless his ministry.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that
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