When A Heart Breaks
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Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson || Top: Madewell
When I noticed this shirt at Madewell (shocking I was there, right?!), I really tried to talk myself out of buying it. But how can one resist an oversized white collared shirt that is also extremely comfortable? I sure can’t! The interesting thing about this shirt is that it also has a business-like feel. But, lucky for me, it doesn’t require that you pull on a pair of black slacks to go with it. I will never be a 9-5 business women who wears a suit to work each day. That just sounds painful.
In the business of life, we often feel the need to save face and put on the impression that all is right in our world. However, if we are being honest, not all days are great and some days feel just down right crappy. But we usually don’t share our struggles because we recognize that there are so many other people whose struggles seem FAR greater than our own. But like my new friend Christa Black Gifford says, “a hammer feels like a hammer no matter where the blow comes from.”
When your heart feels broken and tears fall at unexpected times, it’s okay to not be okay. You are allowed to feel sad and have moments of grief... Even if it is over things that feel somewhat “silly” to be heartbroken about. It’s not silly. If it hurts, it’s important to take time to process it.
God tells us that we will encounter trouble. He doesn’t say “if,” He says “when.” And that trouble will come in all different shapes, sizes, heartbreaks, and moments. It is easy to wrap yourself in the pain because at some point the pain starts to feel like the norm. Escaping that norm can become scary in and of itself.
But y’all. I don’t want you to stay in that place. It is through the pain that we sometimes find our greatest passion for God. And in turn, we see the passion He has for our lives. It is like my friend once told me, “we are inwardly fashioned for faith, not fear.”
Now, I am NOT saying that it will be easy. In fact, it will be very hard to walk away from that heartbreak and come out on the other side. But one day you will come out on the other side holding the hand of your Father and embracing His big heart that beats for you.
