Tag: broken heart

carry the light.

carry the light.

by Kathleen Moulton ♥ 4 Comments

Slowly, her eyes open as she lays silently, watching the light slip through the window, turning the night darkness into shadows of gray.

Another day to face. Another day to be thankful. Another day to trust the Lord.

Reaching for her phone, she sighs softly. She is familiar with facing the day with disappointments.

No texts. Check the weather. Open Facebook.

Inspiring memes, adorable animal videos, current events, and everyone’s opinions.

But it’s the “perfect” children and “perfect” marriages her eyes are drawn to.

And then the familiar heaviness in the pit of her stomach.

Being left out, being left behind, being different.

~~~

Those among us, especially Christians, who often post their happy lives on social media, should remember those who are in difficult situations.

We know who they are.

With good intentions, we celebrate our lives. Pictures speak a thousand words. Words have power. In our sharing, we should remember those we know who are suffering.

Since God says he is near to those who have broken hearts, shouldn’t they be close to our hearts, too?

Just about everyone has some form of social media. As Christians, we should check our heart when we share something.  We could become prideful in our accomplishments and project our way of doing things as being the right way.

Sometimes, we should say your life might be different. Be you.

Everyone should celebrate with you, be encouraged and inspired by you, and most of all, be happy for you.

But we should also, always keep others close in our hearts and minds when we share our lives.

~~~

And you, who are not experiencing the preconceived perfect life, take heart.

Be happy for those who are enjoying good. Rejoice with them.

Don’t compare.

Don’t get bitter.

If it’s too hard to see, limit your friends’ list through unfollowing or create a smaller social media platform with limited friends during this time in your life.

It’s not all on you. You are protecting yourself.

More than anything, trust in the Lord with all of your heart, don’t interpret your life through your own understanding of it, acknowledge God’s understanding of it all, and trust that He knows all things and will guide and direct your life.

When you trust God, He trusts you, too. He knows who can and who will carry the light through the darkness of disappointments you face each day …

… to show others the way.

silhouette photo of person holding a lantern
Photo by Erika Cristina on Pexels.com

 

introduction.

introduction.

by Kathleen Moulton

Please allow me to step into your pain and introduce you to Ann Voskamp.

If you’re tired of the platitudes, her words are for you.

She says things like:

Because there is nothing we need to know more than how to live with our broken heart.

Feeling like no one understands us may be what overwhelms us the most.

Is the worst human emotion feeling alone? 

This fall, look for her new book.

broken_way_cover-400

If you cannot read it now, it’s okay.

But one day, when you’re ready, please read.

simple things.

simple things.

by Kathleen Moulton

I walk almost everyday. Usually 2-3 miles in the morning and occasionally some in the evening.

The route is typically the same. But every time, I see something new.

Sometimes, it is a new wildflower that bloomed. Sometimes, it’s just the way the sun is shining. Clinging dew drops sparkle in morning sun. Flowers softly glow in the afternoon.

Life is like that.

How does the light shine on your life? Do you even notice?

Because even on cloudy days, the familiar can take on a subtle, yet beautiful appearance. Colors feel more meaningful against the gray.

Let the simple things quiet the complicated things that crowd into your thoughts.

Simple things make you peaceful.

simple 1
Photo credit: russelldavies / Foter / CC BY-NC
grieving hearts.

grieving hearts.

by Kathleen Moulton

But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve like other people who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so through Jesus, God will bring those who have died with him.

1 Thessalonians 4:13,14

This scripture is often read at memorial services. It is a wonderful promise for those who have lost a loved one. It transcends our limited understanding of time and helps us to remember there is more to come. Hope keeps us going.

But sometimes, people think that if you’re a Christian, you will not grieve at all, or at the very least, minimally. A time table is established and if you’re not where they think you should be in the grieving process, eyebrows are raised.

No one would expect a person with a broken leg to walk, but some expect a broken heart to beat the same.

heart

I was strong in my faith before my son died and I continued strong in my faith. The above scripture is real to me. But I am not the same person I was. I feel the limitations. They are subtle, but I know they’re there. It doesn’t affect my belief in God’s promise.

I’m human and I am limited. And I’m okay with that.

~~~

Photo credit: CarbonNYC [in SF!] / Foter / CC BY

scripture friday.

scripture friday.

by Kathleen Moulton

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Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

1 Peter 5:7

know.

know.

by Kathleen Moulton ♥ 2 Comments

What does it mean to know God? Can one know God?

For centuries, religion has made God seem distant and mysterious. But when you read the Bible, you find that God tells us he is very near to us. That’s good news, especially for people who are hurting.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34

If you have only known God to be unreachable, detached, distant, or mysterious, today is your day to know He is not any of those things.  You can know all about Him!

healing.

healing.

by Kathleen Moulton

Our bodies have an amazing ability to heal. Sometimes it needs help with medication, but what a marvelous process to watch how new skin replaces a cut finger, or how a broken bone mends and become usable again.

Broken hearts are real and not always seen by others. That’s what makes it more difficult.

Their insults have broken my heart and I am so sick.  I looked for sympathy, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none. Psalm 69:20

God has not given our physical bodies a way to heal and not our emotions. Talk to God about what hurts. He will not only comfort you, but he will heal your broken heart in time.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3