There's a Crack in Everything

It's hard to believe 4 months have passed since I last blogged! It seems that time has flown by in a blink. There are a lot of things I'd love to blog about, (like my amazing trip to the Baltics! That may come later...), but today, inspiration has struck about something completely different.

Today, during the worldwide General Conference for my church, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, gave a talk about mental illness and how to show compassion for those who are dealing with it. He emphasized that there are a lot of things we can say or imply about how someone else should deal with their trials, and more often than not, those things are judgmental and anything but compassionate. Having somewhat recently dealt with post-partum depression, I identified with his talk in many ways. And, if Facebook is any kind of indicator, Elder Holland's is among the most popular talks from the 2 sessions presented today, so I know I'm not alone in that identification.

During part of his talk, Elder Holland said, "Though we may feel that we are like a broken vessel, as the psalmist says, we must remember that vessel is in the hand of The Divine Potter." His comment reminded me of a quote that says, "There's a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." (Leonard Cohen--To be quite honest, I have no idea what the context of this quote is.)

When I first read this quote, I thought it was strange and I didn't get it. So I continued to think about what it meant for me. Over time, I came to really love it. If there isn't some kind of opening, how would light ever get in? If we are each sound vessels, with no imperfections, the Light of the World (Jesus Christ) would never be able to enter our hearts. More than that, there would be no need for Him to enter our hearts if we were perfect.

In the context of Elder Holland's talk today, I thought about how we are all broken vessels in one way or another. Physically, mentally, and/or emotionally, we may have a few hairline fractures or may even feel smashed to pieces, but that is how the Light gets in. It is these experiences of mortal life that grant us a desire to draw closer to our Savior. Without them, we would have no need for Him or for His light. It is that Light that will fill and fix those cracks, (or put us back together as the case may be), and make us whole again.

This has been my experience as I dealt with post-partum depression. I am grateful for my therapist, who I know is blessed with a talent to counsel people and help them navigate their tough times. And, more than that, I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Without His Atonement, healing from the depression I experienced would not have been possible. All healing and improvement in any life is possible only in and through Jesus Christ--whether we acknowledge that reality or not.

So, next time you feel like a broken vessel, allow yourself to ponder on the life of the Savior and His perfect love for you. And know that's how the light gets in.