The image you see above is more than just a shard of broken porcelain—it’s a moment, a reminder, a whisper of God’s presence in the middle of an ordinary day. The story behind it comes from a friend, who will to remain anonymous, but his experience speaks volumes to all of us who seek God in the everyday.
He works from home a couple of days a week, and during lunch breaks, he often walks the road near his house—a simple routine meant to stretch his legs, breathe in some sunshine, and clear his mind. That road, once paved, had been torn up about a year ago, replaced with gravel as part of a long-term repaving project. Nothing unusual.
But one recent afternoon, as construction crews laid fresh gravel and graded the path, our friend took another of his walks—this time, with a heavy heart. He had been praying, pouring out his worries to God. Life, work, family—all the things that weigh on us when we feel caught in limbo. He had been struggling with the possibility of returning to the office full-time. He didn’t want to struggle. He wanted balance, peace, clarity. More than anything, he wanted to stop feeling bitter.
And as he walked, he laid it all down before the Lord.
“I just wanted to stop worrying about it,” he said. “I didn’t want to be bitter anymore, because that bitterness was changing me. I didn’t want to be the kind of person who pushed others away from Christ instead of drawing them to Him.”
He continued on in silence, waiting for God’s response.
That’s when he noticed something strange in the gravel—something that hadn’t been there before, or at least, something he had never seen. He bent down and picked up a small piece of broken porcelain. On it, clear as day, was the image of Jesus. A piece of a plate or cup, worn by time, left there amid the rocks and sand.
Does it mean something? Maybe. Maybe not. He doesn’t claim to know for sure. It could have been a coincidence. But in a moment of prayer, when he was seeking God with an open heart, God gave him a sign—small, fragile, and unexpected.
A reminder that Jesus walks that road too.
Sometimes, when we ask for clarity, God doesn’t speak in thunder or write in the sky. Sometimes, He simply places a piece of Himself in our path. Not to answer all our questions, but to say, “I’m here. Keep walking.”
So next time you find yourself on a well-worn path, lost in thought, unsure of what’s ahead—keep your eyes open. God is still speaking. Even in the gravel.
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If this story moved you or reminded you of a time God showed up in an unexpected way, we’d love to hear it. Let’s keep sharing the wonder of His work in our world.
(This post was based on a story by a Guest Writer who prefers to remain anonymous, although he did provide the photo..)
Veni, Vidi, Scripsi 