Restoring God

There is a digital picture frame on my desk that reminds me that life is a series of events and experiences. It is a representation of my life in many ways. Most of the images are from events that are positive and memorable. We love these events in our lives—birthdays, anniversaries, vacations, and holidays—that fill our photo albums and picture frames with positive memories. Some images remind me of events that led to healthy growth and taught valuable life lessons. I participated in a music group throughout high school, which taught me many lessons that grew my faith, musical knowledge, and personal maturity. Some images remind me of experiences that built character and guided me to become a better person. I had a job that went through a season of extended hours and unexpected calls for help day and night. It was not fun by any means, but it developed character in me, and I became a better person by persevering through it.

Then, there are some events that fall into a whole different category. Images from these events do not make picture frames or albums. These events are like earthquakes in your life. These are the “rock your world” types of experiences that leave you shattered. These are events that damage and cause pain that you did not ask for and would not wish on anyone. Some earthquakes come about by way of other people, perhaps through a death or a broken relationship or a result of some other hardship. Other times, you may be the source of the earthquake that grieves others and inflicts pain in a way that affects many people because of your choices. All these earthquake events may lead you to brokenness. It takes you to the “valley of the shadow of death,” as spoken of in Psalm 23. Have you been there? Perhaps you know of someone who has been there.

Life is different in the valley. When you are in that valley, you may be consumed with many questions, and most of them cannot be immediately answered. Where do you go from here? How do you navigate this valley? How can you get back or fix the scenario? What is needed to heal this wound? You want the pain to end. You want things back to the way they used to be (in some cases). You want it back to normal, but that is not possible because the person you were before no longer exists. There will be a new normal. Perhaps your best friend died, and you will not be able to talk to them again. Your house was destroyed by a tornado and is in pieces and unlivable. Your abusive husband is paying the price in lockup, and you are the one left to pick up the pieces. Or perhaps you are the perpetrator of the offense and must deal with the consequences of your actions. On either side of the coin, your relationships will be different. The damage is done. Repairs might be made, but things will never be the same.

If you were the perpetrator of an offense, you may not have any control over the consequences. How will you deal with not being in control? How will you respond to the looks and judgmental thoughts that people will have toward you? Earthquakes change lives!

Ultimately, what every person needs after these life-shifting earthquake events is restoration. Amid all the questions and confusion, a person needs to know that life will go on and there is hope for the future. The person mourning the loss of a spouse needs to grieve and have an outlet for their pain. Then, they, in time, will desire to be restored and receive love from another. The person affected by another person’s physical mistreatment needs to be protected and nursed back to health. Then, they, in time, will desire to be restored to people who can offer healthy relationships. The offender needs to own their mistakes and seek to better themselves so that they will never offend again. Then, they, in time and when appropriate, will seek restoration with the people they love. Restoration is ultimately the goal. Restoration is what we all want deep down.

Broken things do not need to stay broken. For those who have been broken, have experienced the valley, and who desire restoration, this book is written with you in mind. No one wants to stay broken. We want more from life, and I want to tell you that there is more. You can get to more. But more will mean less—less of your desires and more of God’s desires. This is a process, but the process can lead to healing. Much of our brokenness comes from too much focus on ourselves. This was my story and the story of many restored people whom I have come to know. Restoration involves becoming more selfless.

God is able to restore that which is broken. That is who God is, a restorer. That is what this book is about. It is a book proclaiming that broken people are not useless. There is hope for the broken. Broken people need mending and healing, and there is a process to achieve that. This book guides and points the restoration seeker toward finding hope in the author of restoration.