When we studied this text at Create in Me a few years ago, my spouse created an empty cross out of plexiglass and wood.
We brought broken things to drop in there. A potter friend who lives nearby had plenty of broken materials to supply. We could also write examples of brokenness on the broken objects.
In the end, we had a thing of beauty made out of all sorts of brokenness. I tried to believe that was the take-away message from the Adam and Eve story. I tried to ignore centuries of female oppression based on that text.
For yesterday's art project, I wanted something simpler. So, I took a piece of posterboard and drew a cross on it. I tore up lots of pieces of paper in different colors. I had people write examples of brokenness that they'd like God to turn into beauty and glue it to the cross.
I told people that if they didn't want to share their brokenness, they could glue the writing side of the paper to the cross or write in code or draw a picture. I reminded us that these didn't have to be examples from our personal life. There's plenty of brokenness in the larger world: Syria, for example.
What I love about this group is that they enter into everything with enthusiasm--or at least openness--so I don't have to be too worried.
I forgot my camera yesterday, so I can't show you what we created. But we filled up the whole cross, and indeed, it was beautiful, in a mosaic way. And I do like the basic message. Indeed I do.
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