I took my Apple Watch off its charger. When strapping it on my wrist it slipped out of my hand. It landed face down on the titled kitchen floor. The lens cracked in two places.
My initial thought was to replace it. It is an older version. Cosmetically it does not look good. The two places it cracked does make it a bit difficult to read the face. But it works.
It still keeps time. It still tracks what I want it to track. It is still very functional. I made the decision to keep it. I am using it as is, cracked lens not withstanding.
Every time I view my watch I am reminded of its brokenness. I see the ‘scar’ of the drop. I become aware of its imperfection. I note the limitation it places on my ability to view the display. But it works.
It is a reminder to me that we are all broken. We have ‘scars’ from life. We have residue from the not so good decisions we have made. We have inner fears that often translate into outer actions. We hurt. We experience pain. Physical pain. Mental pain. Emotional pain. Relational pain.
We cannot dismiss ourselves, nor others, due to our brokenness. We still work. We can function even in our hurt. We can contribute even in our brokenness. We can be useful even in our scarring.
We may be broken, but we are not broke. In essence our brokenness gives us strength. Our brokenness is a reminder that even if we limp we can still walk. It is in our brokenness we live fully human. We are able to empathize. We can give grace to others.
We must never compare our brokenness to others. It should be enough that we all share broken experiences even if we have not yet garnered the courage to admit it. And when we learned to function in our brokenness we will discover the pathway to healing. A healing that unearths the oomph to move forward.