Balm to a Broken Heart

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It’s no secret to most of you that I’ve been dealing with a broken heart the past few weeks. For those who don’t know, I lost my mom unexpectedly a few weeks ago as a result of injuries she sustained in a car accident.

My heart—and the hearts of our entire family—also sustained injury. They’ve been pierced and torn in two by the grief of losing Mom. My poem “Fragile” gave a glimpse into what that grief has looked like in my life and how God is helping me through it.

Today I’d like to tell you how God has applied balm to my broken heart and show you what it has looked like. It has looked like you. It has looked like every person who has reached out to me and my family in love.

Yes, God has ministered to me through his Word and through music, but the main avenue of healing balm has come through caring people—through words and gestures of concern and love.

Every word, every touch has been balm to my broken heart. Some of you came to be with us, to stand with us, to listen to us, to cry with us. Others sent cards or plants or flowers. Some gave practical gifts like food, stamps, and cash. And countless others showed their support and promises of prayer through comments and “likes” on Facebook or here on my blog. Each gesture has given comfort.

Thank you, friends, for showing your love and support. If you’ve ever wondered if a few words or a card or a comment on Facebook can help someone who is grieving, let me assure you they can. Each one makes a difference.

So join me, won’t you? Let’s be balm to the broken hearts around us. Let’s make a difference.

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

*When has God used others to apply balm to your hurting heart?

*Flickr photo by Nina Matthews Photography, Creative Commons License

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Comments

  1. Annette Ford Harper says

    You and your family remain in my prayers. Annette

  2. It’s true – I never realized how much a simple comment, hug, card in the mail or package to brighten my day would mean so much. I’ll be more careful in the future to think of others in their time of grief, because I’ll know it means a lot to them for me to do something for them.

    • It’s amazing the comfort that can come from the loving touch of others. And I agree, Kristin — I think all of us in our family will be more sensitive to others in similar situations in the future. As it says in scripture, we’ll be able to comfort with the comfort we ourselves have received. Thanks for sharing your experience, sweetie pie.

  3. I don’t suppose I have to tell you when I’ve known the great love of God through his people. How thankful I am for the reach of heaven that comes to me through the hands of friends, family, and sometimes strangers. I’m grateful for the care you’ve known through others.

  4. Cheryl, thank you for sharing specifics. It helps to know there are certain things that minister to the broken-hearted.

  5. Debbie Henry says

    Well stated and so true.

  6. This post reminded me of how others have reached out to me in the past and what that meant to me. Thank you for bringing that back to my memory. I pray I’ll be more faithful to reach out to others in the midst of their pain.

  7. It is such a beautiful thing to be embraced by the community of God …. you’re still in my prayers. I know grief doesn’t follow a timeline or go away after a specified “grieving period” and I’m thinking of you especially with Christmas around the corner. Blessings.

    • Thanks so much for your continued prayers, Emily. I’m still dealing with a lot of sadness, and Christmas is indeed proving to be hard this year. So thankful for a Savior who understands and walks with me through it all.

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