Removing walls and binding up broken hearts
February 2018
Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie
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| Hunting with life long good friends |
It was a sunny day and I had my “to do” list in my hand as I walked into The Dove’s Nest, a Christian book store in Kerrville, Texas.
“Hi Kathleen,” said the tall dark headed clerk that came around the corner. She was a lady that went to my church and was a friend. About that time, she wrapped her arms around me and gave me one of the biggest bear hugs I had ever had.
I froze as she hugged me. This was a kind gesture and I knew the hug was genuine; however, for some reason, I had a hard time receiving it.
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| Austin and Collins |
“It is good to see you Candy,” I stated as I pulled away. We continued to visit about various things, I shopped a little and then left.
As I drove away, I pondered my response to her hug.
“Why did I respond that way God?” I whispered in a simple prayer.
In the days ahead, I felt God show me that I had a hard time receiving love because of past hurts and rejection from others. I also felt He showed me that I had erected walls around my heart to protect myself. These walls kept me from getting close to others and really being vulnerable. They also kept me from receiving love from people that loved me.
A few days later, I humbled myself and went back to the Christian book store. I told my friend I had a hard time receiving her hugs, but it had nothing to do with her, it was my problem receiving love.
She smiled and, “I know and it is OK, I still love you Kathleen.”
I asked God to take down the walls and open my heart to receive His love and the love of others. I had an intelligential understanding of God’s love, but somehow, I needed that moved about 12” into my heart.
A series of events happened and those walls I had around me for years, came down. It was not an easy time, but I am a girl that was forever changed as I opened my heart to God’s great love for me and opened my heart to those around me
Psalms 145:8-9 says, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” (NIV)
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| Our 4 grandkids |
Each and every one of us is loved by God because He is love and God created us. Often times in our performance oriented society, it is challenging to realize we are not loved for what we do or do not do, we are simply loved.
Do you realize that He really loves you just the way you are? He is compassionate to what is going on in your life. Ask Him to show you His love and open your eyes to his compassion for you. You are precious to Him and He cares about you and your situation. Difficult situations are often times a wonderful opportunity to draw close to God and see His love in a greater measure.
Maybe your heart has been broken. Psalms 147:3 tells us, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (NIV)
Can you give your broken heart to God? He is the healer of broken hearts. Isaiah 61:1 also tells us that Jesus was sent to bind up the brokenhearted.
In the days and years that followed my late husband’s death, I continually gave God my broken heart and asked Him to heal me. My healing did not come overnight or as quick as I would have liked, but God was faithful to heal me. Whatever heartache you have, continually give it to God as He is the only one that can truly heal broken hearts. What has broken your heart and have you given it to God to heal?
It does not matter what mistake you have made in life, God still loves you.
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| Collins and Grant |
Zephaniah 3:17 tells us, “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quite you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (NIV)
I love this scripture and it has given me great confidence that I am not alone, God is more powerful than my problem, and He actually takes delight in me.
At times when I have shed tears, I have felt Him settle my heart with his love.
I was recently with my grandchildren and sat and watched them play. As I observed them, I sat there and smiled, thinking of how much I loved them. About that time, one of them tripped and fell. I hurried over and scooped her up and hugged her, comforting her with my love.
God does the exact same thing with us. He delights in watching us walk through life, depending on him, and smiles saying, “That’s my child, I love him/her.”
And when we trip and fall, he is right there beside us to pick us up, dust us off, and wrap his arms around us, and quite us with his love.
I challenge you to ask God to show you more of his love for you and remove any walls you have erected around your heart. Give him your broken heart and let him fix it and enjoy the fact that God almighty takes great delight in YOU.
Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie is a native to the Texas Hill Country, a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping people discover their value and worth and God’s love, You can reach her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com or visit her blog at www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com
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