I studied transpersonal psychology (spiritual psychology) and enjoy incorporating spiritual aspects into some threads of writing. I first published this on Facebook on August 2nd and noticed that a few people shared it as it inspired them – so thought I’d bring it here, on my blog.

Note that this was co-written with my husband. He has cancer and found the stained glass inspiring as we sat in Adoration, in our church. Sadly, I have seen someone online, a NJ man, who copy and pasted without credit. Financial abuse has many faces; taking someone’s work is one of them, and in his case, he took a published writing.

Even if you do not identify with christianity or catholicism, I hope you see the deeper message and find peace within it.

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The Parable of the Stained Glass Window

In a peaceful village, an old steel town with hills and history, stood a beautiful stone church with vintage stained glass windows. Each window depicted scenes from the Bible, glowing with vibrant colors when the sunlight shone through them.

One day, a fierce storm swept through the village. Strong winds and heavy rain caused one of the largest stained glass windows to shatter into countless pieces. The villagers were heartbroken, as the window had been a symbol of their faith and community.

The wise and gentle parish priest, gathered the villagers and said, “Let us not be disheartened by this loss. We will rebuild the window together, piece by piece.”

The villagers collected the broken fragments, and with great care, they began to reconstruct the window. Some pieces were large and easily identifiable, while others were tiny and seemingly insignificant. But Father assured them, “Every piece has its place and purpose.”

Day by day, the villagers worked together, fitting the fragments like a complex puzzle. Children, elders, and everyone in between contributed to the effort, finding joy in the process. As they worked, they shared stories, laughter, and their own experiences of brokenness and healing.

When the window was finally restored, it looked much different from before. The cracks and new patterns created by the reassembled pieces added a unique beauty to it.

The sunlight streaming through the window now cast an even more dazzling array of colors inside the church.

During the next Mass, Father addressed the congregation. “This stained glass window,” he said, “is a testament to the power of love, community, and faith. Just as we have mended these broken pieces into something more beautiful, so does God mend our broken hearts and lives. The light shining through this window reminds us of God’s grace illuminating our lives, making our imperfections part of His beautiful design.”

The villagers looked at the restored window with awe and gratitude. They saw in it a reflection of their own journey, where each person, despite their flaws and hardships, was a vital part of the whole.

From that day forward, the stained glass window became a symbol of hope and unity, reminding everyone that through God’s love and the support of one another, they could find beauty and strength in their shared faith