Courtney Rice Gager
About the Author

Courtney loves to turn ordinary life experiences into humorous and heartwarming stories that serve to share the good news of the Gospel, as well as to strengthen and encourage followers of Jesus. She lives in Southern New Jersey with her husband and two children.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Unbroken love for the broken — Courtney, your post puts the gospel on display so beautifully. I’m coming away asking God to help me convey this kind of love to a broken world.

  2. Courtney,
    How beautiful and what a teaching opportunity for both you and your daughter. Your daughter found value and worth in something you were ready to discard, and you were able to teach her about God loving us even when (especially when) we are broken. Yes, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we looked around and, like your daughter, found value in people that the rest of the world has declared “junk”, and what if we dared to be more vulnerable to share our broken places because in doing so, we share where God was able to do what only God can do and we bring glory to Him?! Loved this!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

  3. Courtney, this is a beautiful story reflecting a timeless truth. I love the way you held your daughter while sharing your own broken places. What a gift you have her! We all need to hear it’s ok to have broken places. We all need to know we are loved perfectly even though we are imperfect. Love this post!

  4. Beautifully written. It spoke to my heart when you said “What if we wore our scars not as marks of decreased value, but as evidence of how wholly and perfectly we’re loved by the Creator of the Universe, who sent His one and only Son to die for us in all our messiness and ugliness and brokenness?”. Wow! What an Awesome God we serve!

  5. This brought tears to my eyes. Love how you took the opportunity for this object lesson. What a beautiful word picture. The heart of this article is why I write. For people to know how deeply they are loved, no matter what.

    Through the writing and publishing of my book, I got the message in your words: “What if we wore our scars not as marks of decreased value, but as evidence of how wholly and perfectly we’re loved by the Creator of the Universe”.

    Thank you for sharing your precious story. Live loved.

  6. Courtney, I too have past regrets that threaten to overwhelm me. Thank you so much for reminding me that I am loved in spite of my past mistakes.

  7. Courtney, what a precious gift you gave your daughter planting such profound truth so early. And what a gift she gave us, articulating what we all feel when life breaks either us or someone we love. You totally blessed my heart.

  8. What an amazing gift this is to me. Thank you and Gods words you shared. I too am broken and to His glory on the potters wheel where He makes my brokenness whole. God bless you and your sweet family including Sarah
    Diane

  9. Thank you for reminding me that I’m not the only broken person who’s made so many mistakes and has so many regrets in her life. Yet Jesus still loves me.

  10. Thank you for sharing…This spoke to me “…broken, but still serving a purpose…” A reminder that God loves me even in depression & loss…I am still serving a purpose whilst I breathe…God bless…xxx

  11. Courtney,
    Thank-you for sharing your endearing story this morning,you have given your daughter a true gift.
    Sara reminds me of my broken pots, and Angel with a broken wing. I couldn’t bring myself to discard them so now they serve a new purpose in the garden.

    Have a blessed day all,

    Penny

  12. This is splendid Courtney! Just love how you were inspired to use this as a perfect teaching opportunity for your little one. Such a clear picture of Jesus love for us no matter what. A terrific lesson for your sweet girl that you can remind her of over the years. One that will rivet in her mind because of her love for Sarah.

  13. Dear Courtney Rice Gager

    Unseen Broken Places was a great read.

    I liked your blog post intro because it was so visual and emotional with our daughter clinging to the statue 🙂

    If it wasn’t broke, you could have included a picture in your next blog post.

    Your daughter sounds like a sweet child 🙂

    My favourite sentence from your blog post was “You can never be too broken to be loved.”

    I believe most of us grown ups are experts in hiding our broken spots in avoidance of vulnerability.

    Love your idea about all us laying down the hiding-game and just went with the flow.

    By showing our weaknesses, we can encourage others to feel loved by our Saviour Jesus Christ.

    I’ll give your Unseen Broken Places a share Friday next week!

    Look forward to your next post 🙂

    Respectfully,
    Edna Davidsen

  14. It is humbling and awesome that our brokenness and pain can be used to God’s glory. He works through difficult circumstances all the time to ultimately accomplish good.

    Eccl. 3:1 To everything there is a season,
    A time for every purpose under heaven:

    Thank you for your beautiful post today…

  15. I really, really needed to read this today. Thank you. I have Generalised Anxiety Disorder and OCD. I’m a mum of two (beautiful and spiritual) teenaged daughters. We got a puppy last week. Today is my husband’s birthday and all I have done today is cry, feel sick, lose my temper and feel utterly, utterly worthless. I have the most forgiving husband, because I have pretty much ruined his birthday. I love my family, my two kitties and my new puppy. But, boy, do I feel overwhelmed. The other night I sat sobbing until 2am and I was sure I was unworthy of God’s love. I am a very broken person and I am often convinced that God has given up on me. How reassuring it is, to read here today that “You can never be too broken to be loved”.
    Please remember me in your prayers and I thank God for you. Xx

    • God certainly hasn’t given up on you! “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) You are loved!

  16. This is a beautiful reminder of the many broken pieces each of us have, and the fact that believing with our whole heart that God loves each of us, despite our brokenness is also a reminder of what true love is. Thank you and may God continue to work in all of us.

  17. So important to love the broken people in this world. Some show their brokenness, maybe through a disability or a limp. While others hide it well, but if we really, really listen to their stories the brokenness comes through and we can show Jesus love to them

    By the way, did you glue Sarah back together?

  18. Courtney,

    I wish more adults would have child like faith & love in their hearts. Children are able to love people blindly. They don’t look at race. color, rich or poor. All they see is another human being. This country & the world could use more love like that. There is to much division in this country now & not enough of God’s glorious love going around. Thank you for teaching your daughter that we can be loved even in our brokenness. God sees us through the blood of Jesus. He will love us no matter what. We should go and do likewise to others.

    Blessings 🙂

  19. This brought tears to my eyes. I’m currently going through somethings and I feel as if I’ve had to deal with everything alone because I’m am too broken for anyone to care or love me. Thank you for reminding me that although I’m alone, God still loves me regardless. ❤️