Sunday, February 5, 2012

God Cares For The Broken

The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit. -- Psalm 34:17-18

A few weeks ago, my uncle told me of a conversation he’d had with my mother. He was excited to think that maybe, just maybe, her heart was opening and she might actually become the Christian she’s always claimed to be.

She even said that she and her husband actually needed me, he exclaimed. Then he went on to tell me that it was the first time he’d ever heard her say anything good about me. That was one reason he thought perhaps she was finally changing.

I kept my expression calm. I nodded and said all the right things. I didn’t want him to know how deeply his words hurt. That wasn’t what he intended. I know that. He was intending to give good news, and there was that.

But no matter how many years pass, no matter how many tears I’ve shed, no matter how many times I tell myself it doesn’t matter, it does matter. It hurts. I know my parents don’t like me. I know they don’t love me. They never have and I’ve always known it. They’ve made sure of it.

I rarely talk about it. Why would I? People either criticize and condemn me for being self-centered or delusional or they wonder what’s wrong with me that even my parents couldn’t love me. I’ve learned over the years to keep it bottled up inside.

And then something happens. Someone looks at me funny or makes a nasty comment and I know, one or both of my parents have been talking to them about me. They don’t just keep their opinions to themselves. They never have. I’ve endured a great deal of hatefulness because others believed whatever they were told.

I’m not the only one with painful secrets and hurtful rejection. I look at a friend still struggling with self-esteem issues because she was sexually abused as a child. I watch another young woman slowly emerging from her shell as she stands up to a mother who criticizes her constantly. I watch a dear man try to be strong as he makes tough decisions for someone he loves and endures her rejection while the rest of their family refuses to even care.

There is pain all around us. There are tears behind so many smiles. There are people just getting by the best way they can because survival is all they know how to do.

I take comfort in knowing that God understands. That He cares for those of us who are brokenhearted and in pain. He embraces the rejected and abused. He vows to defend them, to rescue them, to love them no matter what.

Someone you now needs a hug today. Someone you see needs a kind word. Someone in your midst needs a friendly smile. Will you just walk right on by and pretend you don’t see? Or will you reach out like Jesus and show them you care?