Where Do Broken Hearts Go

I've had an old Whitney Houston song stuck in my head today, Where Do Broken Hearts Go.  Random I know!  Here's the thing, I loves me some old school Whitney, I mean you just can't go wrong there, it's my jam don't judge me.  We've got some broken hearts in our midst these days, which makes me think about the proverbial "broke heart".  I've have some "broken hearts" in my day. Some break ups, some lost friendships and even loss of dreams can leave you broken hearted.

The broken heart that I see right now, that I feel the ripples of washing through my home, is that of my 13 year old foster baby.  He has the worst kind of broken heart.  There's nothing he's done wrong, he doesn't understand it, he fights and rages against it and he is hurting because of it.  I don't know how to heal this for him.  I can rarely make him feel better when his wounds are exposed and he just sobs.  He pulls the covers over his head and battles the broken alone.  I try to do all things mommies do but it's not the same for him, I am a stand in.  It's hard to be a stand in when there's a baby hurting.  So I pray.  I pray fervently (as my Imperfectly Brave Girl Whitney tells me to). I say even so come Lord Jesus.  Even if he doesn't know you yet, can you come? Can you please engulf him with your love?  Can you heal his broken heart with your glue?  

Here's what he gave me in his word:

Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

My Foster baby is one of many sleeping with a broken heart tonight.  Waking up in a strangers house aching for restoration.  Maybe you woke up today with a broken heart.  Maybe a loss of a loved one is just more than you can handle today.  I want you to know that there is one who can bind up that broken heart today.  In Psalms we are told that the Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. I am praying this for my Foster baby today and for you as well.  Elizabeth Elliot says it so well:

“We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive his poured-out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others.” ~ Elisabeth Elliot 

In the book of James the author also reminds us to be joyful in our trials because it makes us better in him.  Our broken hearts allow God to heal us, and come back stronger so that we in turn can pour out ourselves for others.  If you have overcome a brokenhearted place and are looking to pour out into others, please pray and consider helping out in the Foster system in your city.  It is a dark ,sad, scary and broken place where the future of our nation is being neglected.  I have so much to share with you about this journey and I covet your prayers over all of this, but for now I will say please lay your broken heart at the foot of the cross dear friend, it is only there that you will find peace.

Sending all my love to my FEARFULLY, WONDERFULLY and BEAUTIFULLY made friends out there.  May you be blessed today and bless those around you with abundant love and grace!

Much Love,
Chrystan