Being Broken

"If you are grasping at worldly dignities, it is  from fear that you are suffering from agony of spirit.
Except Love of the most beauteous God, everything, (though outwardly pleasant, like eating sugar), in truth, is agony of spirit.
What is agony of spirit? To advance toward death, and not to grasp the Water of Life...
In the dark night, seek that shining Day..
The gardner lops off the harmful bough, in order that the date palm may gain tallness of stature and goodness.
The expert gardener digs up the weeds from the garden, in order that his garden and fruit may look flourishing.
The physician extracts bad teeth, in order that the beloved patient may be saved from pain and sickness...
If you would have your  garments cleaned and washed, do not turn your face away from the bleacher's quarters.
Although this bread has broken your fast, cling to Him that binds what is broken, and ascend.
Insomuch as His hand binds what is broken, it follows that His breaking is assuredly mending.
He that knows how to sew together, knows how to tear  asunder: whatsoever He sells, He buys something better in exchange.
He lays the  house in ruins, upside down: then in one moment he makes it more habitable than it was before.
Since we were made by God, and are not makers, we are not entitled to be anything but humble and content."

Rumi (Vol. 1 selections from 2685-3917)

Commentary: Rumi teaches us that being ruined, and broken, and torn  is often a sign of God's grace.  How can we be humble and content in the midst of such upheaval? Only by remembering that this story of ours, is far from over...