for those who have a broken heart.

My heart is very, very heavy tonight. 
I know yours is too.

And I really have few words. How can words adequately describe, comfort or lend any kind of meaning to the horrors we witnessed in a small Connecticut town today. To those who've been touched by the tragedy, I am so so sorry. We are here for you.

You are in our hearts. Our prayers. Our thoughts. Our tears.

Tonight I leafed through a book I've had for years, written by a precious old friend - I saw it sitting in the back of my dusty bookshelf, and I had to pick it up. Just to look at the cover. And I was reminded that my Jesus knows the pain and confusion and numbness of loss. He feels it with those who grieve. With those who cry. And he weeps with them. When Jesus walked this very earth, He too tasted the bitterness of death. And he cried. Just like you and I do. When his dear friend Lazarus died, 

"Jesus wept." -John 11:35 

I know He weeps again tonight.
And every moment, every day - when every kind of pain, death and disappointed loss is suffered. 

I dearly recommend reading this book if you desire perspective in grappling with the loss, pain, and suffering we face in this very broken place we live. Find it here

Sweet friend, run to Him in pain. In the pain all around us, and in your own personal secret heart's pain. We all experience it. Take it to Him. He loves you. And He weeps with and for you.

I love the last lines from the book: 

"He loves you. He loves you so, so much. And the day will come when you will look Him in the eye, and all the things that don't make sense will simply disappear in His overwhelming and undeniable goodness. He'll wipe away every tear that day. He'll take you by the hand and replace all of your mourning with a dance of extraordinary joy." -Bruce Marchiano

Resting between His shoulders,

Erin

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." 
//Psalm 34:18

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

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." 
//John 14:27

"Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 
//1 Peter 5:7

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight." 
//Proverbs 3:5-6

"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." 
//Matthew 11:28 

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." 
//Psalm 18:2 

"I have told you these things so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." 
//John 16:33 


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