Hi
I remember reading a book in Advanced Literature during high school which made reference to restoration of stained glass. My teacher observed that even today (especially with the passage of time); the work of a master could not be restored by a novice. This was to ensure that the value of the masterpiece was maintained.
You and I are masterpieces. And so we can only be restored by the Maestro, God Almighty. Perhaps we could hold that imagery as we consider today’s Holy Nougat
“He restoreth my soul: He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalms 23:3 ASV
The other bit I learned about restoration (decades later) is that each piece must be carefully removed from its settings and arranged for the restorer to return it to its correct location. For warping affects each panel individually; and the wrong piece could result in the ruination of the glass. Additionally, the pieces were brushed off to remove initial debris, then placed in a bath which included some acidic type of mixture before being ready for the original artwork. The restoration of the panels in a church could be a long process!!!!
If that’s the way stained glass is restored – which is inanimate – how much more so sheep-humans like you and me who are mired with hurts; doubts; fears, egoisms, disappointments, and abusive behavior which impact our souls! Restoration is a Lifetime job, I’m sure. Yet, our Shepherd has undertaken the burden for everyone of us! WOW
Moreover, we have to be brushed off, so that some actions don’t have the chance to become habits. Then we have to undergo the ‘soaking’ in that acid bath (sheep also get bathed and sheared) for our own good. How we complain; failing to realize it’s actually beneficial to us.
The problem is, unlike stained glass we don’t always stay in place when restored. We, like sheep, are prone to excursions and side exploring which have the potential to undo ALL the good restoration work done. And sometimes our actions cast aspersions on the goodness of our Shepherd. Subsequently, we are LED to secure places. Along paths of righteousness.
Again, being sheep, some of us are outliers – we are forever exploring. Could it be that some of our current soul-ache is rooted in our own distractions? That when we were being restored, we got our selves bent on getting out before the process was complete? Or that having been restored, we proceeded down our own road? If so, we might need to ask our Shepherd for forgiveness and to restore us once again. Not a fun task but essential.
May peace be ours as we journey with our Shepherd.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
