The Gift of Kintsugi

Positive Pensées

Kathy King

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”

Dolly Parton

Imperfections.

Cracks.

Hurt.

Regret.

Solace, Anger, Joy, and things we just can’t forget.

They make cracks and crevices in our heart and soul.

Sometimes they make it hard to breathe.

The pain tears at our soul. 

What if there was something we could do about it?

Perhaps, heal the pain?

By filling in the cracks with forgiveness and healing.

It will make our heart beat again.

Take those cracks, use them, don’t let them cause you to fall apart.

Rather, fill in those cracks with forgiveness and change your heart. 

Forgiveness, love, healing and light. 

Make those cracks gold, make them sparkle with delight.

Those cracks show that you made it and did not give up.

They did not cause you to weaken, you stayed the course. 

Rather than hide those cracks show them like gold. 

Make your struggles through adversity show others you are strong and bold. 

What is Kintsugi?

We get up, we fall down, we have regrets. That is part of the human condition. In our society where perfection is a filter away, would it not be better to be filled with gold in those cracks that life has dealt us? Have you ever heard of Kintsugi? It is a process used in Japan to fill in the cracks of broken pottery.  The pottery is mended with a lacquer mixed with silver, gold, or platinum. Basically, by filling in these cracks that could potentially break the pottery, it highlights the cracks rather than hides them.  Why should something be thrown away when it can be mended by these precious colors?

God’s forgiveness is much like kintsugi

If you are a person of faith, I often envision God’s forgiveness is much like Kintsugi. We have those imperfections there, but through God’s grace he fills them with gold through his almighty forgiveness. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is our kintsugi. Jesus bore our sins so that he could mend our heart and spirit through faith in him. In Psalm 147:3 the scripture states that God heals the hearts of those that are broken and he binds up their wounds. What a beautiful statement to ponder. 

Have you ever heard of Wabi-Sabi?

Have you ever heard of wabi-sabi?  This concept embraces the flawed and imperfect. Wabi sabi understands that we are imperfect. These cracks, these imperfections highlight the story of our lives.  They made us who we are.  We are still here, probably still struggling… but in time with work, prayer, meditation, and sheer will we can go on.  We can stand with those cracks in gold, silver or platinum. Kintsugi means: Golden joinery.  In our time where everything is quickly disposable, kintsugi can teach us that those flaws can show much, much more. Our weakness, those cracks can be amplified through God’s strength that he only can provide. Throughout the Bible many people with huge cracks were used, think of Moses, The Apostle Paul, all of the Disciples. Specifically Moses comes to mind. He told God himself that he is slow of speech and tongue. Yet God used him to free his people and to share the Ten Commandments. God filled Moses’ cracks with Gold for his purpose. 

To add to that concept, our world makes everything perfect via social media filters.  Which honestly, is still imperfect.  Those cracks are not signs of disgrace but rather… healing.  Those cracks can be going on despite the obstacles.  The cracks could be having a will of iron in the face of adversity.  Those cracks could be broken family relationships that needed all important healing. 

Sometimes Kintsugi can’t be seen initially

Recently, I read a little story about a boy who went by a shop a long time ago. He saw in the window a sign that said:  “Puppies for sale.”  Now I don’t know about you, but who can’t love a little puppy.  The little boy walked in and inquired about the puppies.  The shop owner came out with the kennel and the puppies came bounding out with all their energy.  In the very back came the last little puppy who was limping.  At first, the little boy asked how much the puppies were, the owner told him that they were $20.  He had a little frown because he only had about $2 in his pocket.  The limping little puppy finally caught his attention.  The little boy asked if he could buy that puppy.  The owner looked perplexed.  “That puppy is lame, he won’t ever be able to walk or run with you.  I will give him to you for free. “

After thinking for just a moment the little boy blurted out, “I will pay you two dollars today and fifty cents every month until this puppy is paid for!”  The shop owner who was quite perplexed said, “Why?”  The little boy lifted up his pant leg and showed him his leg brace and crippled leg.  “I can’t run and play fast either and that puppy is worth just as much as the others.”  After reading that story I immediately thought of Kintsugi.  We all have worth, it may be hard to see at times….. Really hard. Through God’s grace and forgiveness and our forgiveness of others and… forgiveness of yourself.  Fill those cracks with gold.  They show you had the tenacity to not quit. Also, they show God’s amazing work in your life. I leave you all with the words of Leonard Cohen. “There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”

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