Sometimes, I feel like a cracked teacup, one that’s been dropped, chipped, and carefully glued back together. Most days, I manage to focus on the beautiful, unbroken parts of my life. But there are other days, especially birthdays and holidays, when all I can see are cracks, the missing pieces, and the things I’ve lost.

One year as I celebrated my birthday, and despite my best efforts, the cracks felt bigger than usual. I tried everything to shift my focus, counting blessings, reading scripture, and praying, but the ache of grief after losing my father remained. I longed to talk to him and that couldn’t happen, but God could.

In a moment of quiet desperation, I went on a bike ride and asked God for one small sign, that I might see just one deer. Because watching for deer brought back happy memories of time spent with my dad. I asked God to see just one, as a birthday gift. A simple reminder that my dad might be celebrating with me in spirit.

What happened next took my breath away.

I didn’t see one deer or two, by the time I finished by bike ride, I had seen twenty-eight deer.

Twenty-eight! Somewhere along the path, my heart—the cracked teacup I carried with me—began to fill. It went from feeling painfully empty to unexpectedly overflowing.

The cracks didn’t disappear, but they were no longer the focus.

That night, I felt God’s presence in a way I can’t fully describe. His love poured into every broken place, sealing me with hope and joy.

Just as He promises:

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” — Romans 5:5

We might still live a cracked teacup kind of life. But we learn that even broken things can hold beauty, especially when they are filled with the love of a God who heals, restores, and never stops showing up.

So, I ask you:
What cracks and holes in your life need healing?
Are you ready to let God fill those places with His love?