What do you do with a broken heart?

I have asked myself this so many times in my life. Have I willingly given my heart to people that maybe I should have been more protective of. Am I going to hold it captive so that it cannot be touched again. Sometimes that seems like it would be the wise or safe thing to do. But that is not the way God created me.

I have come to see that my expectations are really what are broken many times....so I am learning to be aware of those. What are honest and what are not? What are manipulative and what are not?

My heart is where God resides...when I let him rule it...and I am finding that when I really take an inventory and look at my heart...God will protect that heart...he gives me all I need to check my motives...to have a pure heart...and sometimes when that heart is broken..I have still have done the right thing...and I trust him to mend and heal that heart.

I will not quit loving...I will not quit doing what God shows me is the right thing...even when disappointment might come.

There are things that I think our hearts should be broken over...poverty...abuse....cancer....homelessness...and on and on...and we need to do our part to be His hands and feet when we can.

And there will be grief in our lives...broken relationships..death of a loved one..rejection...job loss...family issues...but I am also learning that God is right there in the midst of these ...when I allow him to be....and when I do...I can still have hope in the midst of the grief. Might not take the pain....but His presence is a balm that heals and keeps me going.

I think I finally understand why people keep their worlds smaller...don't reach out...and want to live in a world that is really just about them. It seems safer...but is it?? I would rather have a relationship with a God who will get me through ANYTHING and have an abundant life...than a life without him...in which I lived in fear, saddness, hopelessness, filled with things that will end up bringing emptyness. I would rather feel...even the pain of a broken heart than to have not reached out and touched humanity...my family and friends as well as strangers.

Help me God to always bring my brokenness to you I pray! And Lord fill my life with your creation and show me always how to walk in love...in peace and in hope! I love you Lord!