Broken Hearts

A very poignant question was asked by Ms. Whitney: ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go? Can they find their way home?’ Heart break isn’t just a thing of the 21st century, it has been around since the dawn of time. The first mother, Eve, experienced unimaginable heart break when one of her sons killed the other. Women have been ‘left at the altar’ numerous times. Men have been hit with inconceivable hurt as they watch the love of their lives walk away. That feeling of helplessness, the blinding pain, and hopelessness that accompanies heart break has led people to commit shocking ‘crimes of passion’. Heart break can take the wind out of your sail, causing you to lose your bearing – even your desire to live.

Many songs have been written about broken hearts. ‘Tell me How am I Suppose to Live Without You? End of The Road. Nothing Compares to You. Unbreak My Heart. I Can’t make You Love Me. She’s Out of My Life. Ain’t No Sunshine. Members Only. We Belong Together. One Last Cry. Love Don’t Live Here Anymore. I am sure you can add yours to the list. You may notice that these are the old ones. I don’t know the new ones. I haven’t visited the Heartbreak Hotel in years😁. It’s amazing how many millions of dollars have been spent on heart break songs. It’s almost as if we pay to visit that place of pain over and over again. When I was younger, I called it that sweet bitter pain. We love it and hate it at the same time.

It is not my intent to minimize the agony and suffering that can come with a broken heart. However, as we mature we do realize some truths. We can live without him or her, we do and can love again, the sun does shine again and we do stop crying. The end of the road can mean the beginning of an awesome new journey, hearts can be unbroken, and we shouldn’t have to ‘make or force’ anyone to love us. We don’t always belong together. Not if that ‘togetherness’ breeds toxicity. If love doesn’t live here anymore then we change address.

Now, there are instances when we need to water and nourish what we have. Don’t confuse romantic feelings with love. Love can always resurrect romance. We need to work hard at relationships or they become oxygen-deprived. Moving on is not always the answer; especially in a committed marriage. However, when our hearts get broken and we are abandoned or rejected- maybe space is being made for us to walk into a new thing. Maybe whoever left wasn’t meant to be part of this new chapter. Don’t buy into fallacy that life ends with a broken heart. It doesn’t – despite what those heart break songs say! If loving you is wrong- I do want to be right. Right for my own sanity and for those who may need my shine to inspire and encourage them to breathe again. In the words of Mr. Bolton:

‘Soon these tears will all be dryin’
Soon these eyes will see the sun
Might take time, might take time, but I’ll see it
When I’m back on my feet again‘

I choose not to be a member of the heart break club. How about you? Yes, it might take time- it may be hard, but you can do it. Here’s a promise from One who knows heart break and continues to love you and me relentlessly:

““The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” [Psalm 34:18]

***Thanks for reading – Love again-