We May Be Broken Vessels, but We Are Vessels Nonetheless by Melonie Wright

Many of us single moms are broken before the Lord.

Not broken in the sense that the modern Christian Church has appropriately come to understand: where we recognize our sinful nature and our desperate need to surrender to God. That is a proper understanding of Psalm 34:18, which tells us that “The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent.” (AMP).

The term “broken” in Psalm 34:18 is a figurative Hebrew term for “a shattered heart or condition.” This speaks to me – the definition goes beyond merely describing a crack or a missing piece – here, the entire heart is obliterated. This is fitting for many of us single moms, as our brokenness often comes from life-altering, heart-shattering circumstances that may have led to our single season: abuse, divorce, separation, adultery, abandonment, you name it.

Yet, despite the things we have gone through, the things we have done, even the things we have said, God can and will still use us.

My broken past does not disqualify me from God’s love, grace, mercy, or plans for me. Yes, even as a single mom. The same goes for you.

Our ability to be broken is an obvious indicator that we are not indestructible. After all, humans are fragile beings made of up of dust. (See Genesis 2:7). God recognizes this, and yet chooses to use us as He sees fit. As it is written, “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8 NIV).

Despite our fragility and imperfections, God trusts us to carry a priceless treasure inside of us. The apostle Paul wrote, “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthian 4:7 NIV). The treasure is the Gospel, and the jars of clay are you and me, even as single moms with broken hearts.

How amazing is it that God sees the fragility of our hearts and yet he places the priceless message of the Gospel in us – mere vessels of clay? The focus is not on the inadequacy of the broken vessel. God uses the fragile, broken, imperfect vessel to show that it’s Him –there is no way the power could come forth from that vessel except by Him.

I take so much comfort in knowing that my God can and will still use me – imperfect me – if I simply surrender to Him. By surrendering to God and pursuing His will for our lives, we are prepared to do any good work He has called us to do, even as single moms. (See 2 Timothy 2:20-21 NIV). We may be broken vessels, but we are vessels that can be used by God nonetheless.

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