Most of us would agree that God is able to put the broken pieces of our lives back together.
But what if there are no pieces left?
What if you’re left with shards too small to ever, ever piece back together?
What if your life has been devastated by fires of affliction so hot there is nothing left but ashes?
What then?
These are the thoughts that weighed heavy on my heart as I faced the 2015 New Year.
2014 was the hardest year of my life. Through devastating circumstances, I became a single mum to my three sons. I lost both my ministry of teaching in a Christian school in Australia and ministering in our local church. We left our home, church, school, friends, and the only country my boys had lived in up to that point.
During the flight back to the States, waves of doubt washed over me. What would happen to us? How could God make everything okay? I had no idea how I could stay strong for my boys. I literally survived moment by moment, only concentrating on the very next step I had to take.
I remember how my parents welcomed us with open arms and broken hearts that night our flight landed. I remember climbing the stairs to their guest bedroom with a weariness that reached down to the depths of my soul. I remember collapsing on the bed, the weight of my broken heart a physical force upon my chest in the darkness.
I felt like there was nothing left.
No pieces left for God to mend.
Just dust and ashes.
I didn’t know how I was going to make a living. I didn’t know how I could afford a house, a car, or school tuition. I knew my family would welcome us for as long as we needed to stay, but I didn’t want to burden them.
But aside from the physical needs and financial worries, I didn’t know how God could heal my heart.
Especially since there just seemed to be a gaping hole where once beat a heart full of joy.
Are you in this place too, my friend? Feeling that not even God can mend the shards of your heart, your life, your soul?
If so, I’m here to give you hope. There’s nothing too broken for God to fix. Nothing too far gone for Him to mend. No hurt too deep He cannot heal.
I stand as a living testament to the fact that God can bring beauty from ashes.
In the past four years, God has done miracle after miracle in my life. At just the right time, the operation of a small daycare opened up. This job enables me make a living, minister to the children in my community, and be at home evenings and weekends with my sons.
God also provided a loving church family and an amazing Christian school for my boys to attend. I went from praying desperate prayers that my sons would survive a broken home, to praising God for the way He is drawing them to Himself.
Time after time, need after need was met. We were given a car. The perfect house (at an incredible price!) became available at just the right time. My boys’ school bill was paid anonymously for a whole year, until I was able to get on my feet financially.
But the biggest miracle of all was the one no one could see.
It was the healing of my heart.
Slowly, over the past four years, God has healed my heart. He has taken the pain and replaced it with pure joy. He used many things in this process—the love of my family, the support of my church, the kindness of my friends.
But most of all, it was the balm of His presence. Time spent soaking in the comfort of His Word. Time spent in prayer, with tears of sorrow, tears of healing, and then tears of joy spilling over.
For He truly is the Great Physician, the Healer of all hurting hearts.
Your healing may not come in the way you think it will, or in the time frame you wish.
It will most likely be a process—and probably take much too long to your way of thinking.
But it will come. It will.
God is the God of the impossible. He is the God Who opens a way through the sea when the army is bearing down, the God Who calms storms for His children, the God Who can put lives back together when there is nothing left.
Keep trusting Him. He will bring beauty from the ashes.
“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3)
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Kimberly, if I’m not being too personal – did your husband pass away unexpectantly? I have just started reading your writings and am impressed with your love of the Lord and your willingness to share your pain and your happiness with all of your followers. Thank you for that!
Hi, Patricia. No, I don’t mind you asking. I try to write very delicately and discreetly about the painful things in my past, so as not to bring harm to the people involved. God has given me grace to forgive, and I never want to hurt anyone with my written words. But at the same time, I believe God wants me to share how He brought me through my pain. In answer to your question, I lost my marriage to divorce. It was a very difficult and heartbreaking thing to go through. But through it all, God has given me strength for each day, provision for every need, comfort in my tears, and joy in spite of the pain. I can honestly say to those who are hurting that God will bring you through and restore your joy. I know it, because I’ve lived it. He is good, no matter what happens in our lives.
Thank you. Been 10 years. I always thought it would be mended. Not so.
I’m so sorry for your pain, Sandra. Sometimes earthly things don’t get mended, and it’s such a hard, hard thing to accept. I’ve prayed prayers that were not answered in the way I would have liked, and I won’t understand why on this side of Heaven. But this I do know–God provides the grace we need to get through all the broken things. And one day in Heaven, He will mend our broken hearts completely. Praying for you.
This was just what I needed today….thank you
You’re very welcome, Patti. May God richly bless you today!
Thank you for letting God do the work He wants in your heart and life instead of getting angry and bitter. I really enjoy reading what you write. It is refreshing, a breath of fresh air to find a lady who has a soft heart after going through hard trials. Your love for your Comforter is evident and has encouraged me. You are right- healing is a process and doesn’t happen as fast as we think it should. It has been almost 3 1/2 years since my mom went to Heaven and there are still moments that take my breath away but through it all……God IS good💜
Tina, I’m so sorry for your pain. And don’t feel as if you need to “be over it” after 3 1/2 years. Great pain is evidence of great love. Praise God for the comfort He gives us in these difficult times! He is good, all the time. I’m praying that God will continue to comfort you and give you grace for each day.
Kimberly, thank you for continuing to share these devotionals from what God has done in your life. If you only write them for one person, the Lord has used your testimony. I needed this encouragement tonight. Please don’t stop writing.
Thank you for your kind words, Tisha. My prayer is that God will take these words and encourage those who are hurting. I want others to know there is always, always hope. May God bless you and give you the strength you need.