Eva Ashwood, a female author of several novels once remarked: “There’s nothing wrong with being broken. Some things aren’t meant to be whole. And some things don’t need to be fixed. Some things are broken and aren’t meant to be fixed. But that doesn’t mean they’re fine the way they are. It just means they are the way they are. There’s no changing them or undoing the past. There’s no gluing the pieces back together and remaking the whole how it once was. There’s just sorting through the shards and making something new out of them. That’s all you can do.” Matthew 5:2-8 reminds us: And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Broken fragments have been defined as small particles that have become detached from something larger or whole. They could include the small segments of a precious or valued article that has been accidentally smashed or perhaps split from a greater resource. It could encompass the emotional feelings of a person that have become crushed through conflict or turmoil. It could be concomitant to picking up the pieces of a shattered life after a sudden loss or separation and the attempted restoration back to normality, to the best of one’s ability.
For many, life is considered precious and most dread the thought of breaking anything. They love life and everything in it. Others could be considered as accident-prone and inclined to break things easily. However, accidents do happen without warning. Overzealousness in dusting or cleaning, even though much-intended care is taken, can have destructive results. A wrong word directed at a loved one in heated circumstances through anger can prove cataclysmic. This may not only damage the heart of an item or relationship beyond repair, it can also instigate a state of bitterness within, especially if it is considered of extreme value or personal worth from a sentimental point of view.
No matter how careful we are, many people will experience a broken heart at least once in their lifetime. It may be from the loss of something, a loved one, or perhaps the breakdown in a relationship. However, hope always glimmers on the horizon and a so-called broken heart may not always last forever. Living with a heart of stone may only be temporary, because feeding a broken heart can bring new life or faith.
A broken heart may appear worthless to those afflicted, but if we offer our heart to God, in the hope of repair or nourishment, then it will be replaced with one of wholeness. It will no longer exist as a definitive fragmentation. Ezekiel 36:26 confirms: “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
The human heart, and its cardiomyocytes, is a much stronger cardinal organ than most people think. It is capable of performing several activities simultaneously. These can include not only pumping oxygenated blood to the necessary parts of the body, but also circulating hormones and maintaining consistent blood pressure.
Like the muscles in the legs and arms, it can increase in strength through physical exercise. Despite the thoughts of some, it is robust and not easily broken. However, it is an unfortunate fact, that loss and breakups in life do occur, which may damage it, in fact, it can happen to many. Sometimes breaks are inevitable. There is little one can do to stop them from occurring. It can be considered as a simple matter of fate or destiny. Love, understanding, consideration and respect can help to deter or slow the downward spiral. They may even significantly contribute to bringing the estrangement to a halt before a lasting damage occurs. Ephesians 6:10-14 confirms: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”
It is important to note that not all breakages are considered harmful. Breaking certain things can sometimes be considered beneficial for others. It can provide the scope to share or even nourish those in need. A story is told in the Bible of Jesus feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish. Matthew 14:13-21 states: ‘Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.’
This is an apposite story demonstrating the immense benefits of breaking and sharing for the purposes of desideratum. It not only symbolizes the importance and relevance of Christ in His divine ability to feed so many people with so little, it also signifies compassion shown to others in hunger and need. The loaves and fishes are expanded in a miraculous way to fulfill the emptiness of many. In our personal relationship with God, we may find that the same can happen to us. Just as the multitude was fed and nourished, if we trust in God, He will utilize or provide whatever He deems appropriate to feed and nourish us in our times of need. Matthew 6:25-26 confirms: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
Amen.
