Kintsugi

Kintsugi is a centuries old Japanese method of repairing broken pottery. The pieces are glued back together using a special lacquer dusted with powdered gold. It is an art form performed by master craftsmen. The gold-filled cracks represent a new message of beauty coming out of the flaws, or, actually, enhanced by the flaws. It is not broken; it is more precious. 

Sometimes I need to visualize a truth or concept that is ruminating around in my head. I stumble with verbal explanations and so I attempt to communicate through art. 

In our life group we just finished the book “When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor and Yourself” by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.  In the book, they talk about how our giving can stem from a sense of superiority, as if wealth also brings spiritual superiority. We can be blind to our condescending attitude. However, in reality, we are broken people with the ability to help and walk alongside broken people. Generosity breeds mutual beauty of life and of the soul. A life of generosity from one flawed person to another can help bring forth so much beauty.