At one time, we have/will have experienced a broken heart. It can come from various troubles such as losing a loved one, experiencing a breakup, or just someone who didn't concern themselves about how their words would make you feel.
Whatever it was, we can all agree that being broken-hearted is no fun. It's painful and emotional. We feel abandoned and we think no one cares about us. We feel oh-so alone. And it's no wonder we often try to avoid being hurt altogether. The LORD has a thing or two to say about broken-hearted ones, though. So take courage if that's you today, readers. "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3) "The LORD is nigh [near] unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." (Psalm 34:18) "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. . ." (Isaiah 61:1) As much as I want to avoid being heartbroken in real life, in fictional worlds I crave those raw, emotional scenes where the characters are broken in heart and soul. Do you know what happens in those moments when characters (or any one of us in real life) come to the end of themselves, broken and unable to put the pieces back together? That moment is when they meet Jesus, coming to bind up their broken hearts, coming to heal them. Do you see it? Even in the brokenness, Hope comes flooding in because we realize. . . we are not alone. We are understood in our pain and in our sorrow. "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. . . . Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." (Isaiah 53:3a-4.) He is right there with us, friends, in the midst of our broken hearted condition. When I got the idea for writing about this theme, I immediately thought of a scene in "On Wings of Devotion" by Roseanna M. White. One of the main characters, Phillip Camden, has been arrested due to reasons I won't spoil for you. ;) But think about it. . . being arrested and in prison, isn't that somewhat of a broken hearted condition? Then you have this beautiful scene. . . "God . . . I want to live." The words were eaten up by the hollow, soaked into the coarse fabric of his trousers. They were true . . . but not quite right. "No, I want . . . I want life." Life instead of death. Life beyond death. Life despite death. Life for them . . . but they already had it. Life for him, so that he could finally be free of this weight, of the death always pulling him down. And he knew. He knew from whence it came. He knew, as Mr. Norton and Jeremy and their parents and Ara had made sure of, he knew the name that could call it forth. With a shuddering cry that tore him in half, he whispered it. "Jesus." Maybe that's why I love those scenes so much. . . because in the brokenness, they find Jesus. And we can, too. . . just reach out for Him. Thank you for writing that beautiful scene, Roseanna, and for letting me share it. =)
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Happy March, everyone!
Today I want to recommend a book to you that I've only just finished within the last couple of days. Isn't the cover gorgeous? *cue the heart eyes* That cover was what first made this book catch my eye but the story--oh, the story! It's so unique and so good. It's unlike any historical novel I've read so far. It's hard to explain but it was a deep and stirring tale, with stories within the story. Hope and light were the themes that really stood out in the pages of this book. Plus, the setting was perfect! It was set in Maine, in a harbor near the ocean. I love seascapes, so that was a bonus! Instead of trying to explain what this story is about, I'd like to share the back cover synopsis of it so you can get a taste of the plot without it being spoiled by me. Lol! ;) (From the back cover) In the wake of WWII, a grieving fisherman submits a poem to a local newspaper: a rallying cry for hope, purpose. . . and rocks. Its message? Send me a rock for the person you lost, and I will build something life-giving. When the poem spreads farther than he ever intended, Robert Bliss's humble words change the tide of a nation. Boxes of rocks inundate the harbor village on the coast of Maine, and he sets his callused hands to work. Decades later, Annie Bliss is summoned back to Ansel-by-the-Sea when GrandBob, the man who gave her refuge during the hardest summer of her youth, is the one in need of help. But what greets her is a mystery: a wall of heavy boxes hiding in his home. Memories of stone ruins on a nearby island ignite a fire in her anthropologist soul to uncover answers. Together with the handsome and enigmatic town postman, Annie uncovers the story layer by layer, yearning to resurrect the hope GrandBob once held so dear and to know the truth behind the chasm in her family's past. But mending what has been broken for so long may require more of her and those she loves than they are prepared to give. ~~ In this pocket of a harbor where broken lives, like waves upon the shore, are gathered up and held close. . . I never imagined that it would be my breaking place, too. Nor how beautiful the breaking could be. And there you have it, everyone! Doesn't that sound intriguing? Thank you, Amanda, for writing this wonderful story. You're an amazing writer and I look forward to reading more of your books in the future! Since I haven't posted for the last couple weeks (so sorry!), I decided to share my writing update with you instead of the usual end-of-the-month post. Writing update: There hasn't been much writing going on due to the fact that I am working, but I have been editing little chunks and bits of a story I'm hoping to show to some agents and editors later this summer. It's going slower than I planned, but inch by inch I'll get it done. ;) Have a great rest of your week! So excited that Spring is just around the corner! How about you? |
AuthorHi! I'm Carolyn, a writer seeking to glorify God with my words. Archives
February 2024
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