What Breaks My Heart

And What I Intend to Do About It

One day she bounces in the classroom with a grin on her face, ready to command the room with her infectious personality. The next day she’s in tears, barely focusing on her work, because she found out he likes someone else.

This breaks my heart.

One day this bright twenty-something posts deep, philosophical questions about the purpose of life. Then with one quick change of relationship status or job status, she allows her circumstances to give her life meaning.

This breaks my heart.

One day this brilliant lady takes hold of the purpose set before her. But with a glimpse toward the woman sitting beside her, she loses focus, allowing comparison to steer her off-course.

This breaks my heart.

Why do these images break my heart so? They were all me – every one of them.

So when I see these images, I think of myself and remember where I was before I found the one way to true contentment, purpose, and steadfastness.

Now don’t get me wrong; I haven’t arrived, not yet. None of us has. But I’ve come a long way, and I’m committed to the learning, and to the Teacher.

“But if you are simply content to be yourself, you will become more than yourself.” Luke 14:11 MSG

Both men and women are susceptible to allowing things or people of this world to steer our course, affect our mood, or determine our worth. In women, though, it surfaces differently. And these changes come to light at different ages, depending on our life experiences. (I describe this in more depth in my current book project, scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.)

If we look back at our own lives, most of us will be able to pinpoint a significant struggle sometime in the preteen to early teen years, but even though we get past this rocky stage of life, the struggles I described above don’t end.

We just need to know the right strategies.

Several months ago, I posted 5 Things Every Junior High Girl Needs to Know. It resonated deeply with women: those who have daughters and granddaughters of their own, and those who remember what it was like.

Whichever of these describes you, I pray we can join together with the same goal – to keep growing, keep learning, keep drawing closer to the One who has given us all we need to know in order to live steadfast, content, and purposeful lives. Not only for us, but for our girls, too.

And the amazing thing is…this totally blows my mind…the answers to every question, challenge, and difficulty are recorded in His Word – free and available to all.

Do any of these images connect with your heart in some way today? If so, then you and I have something very special in common. We long to experience all God is, and all He has planned for us. And, we long for our daughters, granddaughters, nieces, and friends to do the same.

This prayer is for all of us today:

Dear Loving Father,

Thank you for gently crafting each of us into a unique and special creation. Thank you for the love that is internal, not external. Thank you for a purpose, and the promise to fulfill that purpose when we commit to follow you. We know we cannot do anything in our own strength, but with your Holy Spirit, we can. Help us to cry out in prayer for one another, so that we might lift each other up in times of struggle and self-doubt. Allow us to help the next generation be truly confident in your love, according to the grace given through your son, Jesus. We love you.

Amen