Getting Started

"The Lord is Close to the Brokenhearted, and rescues those whose spirits are crushed."
Psalm 34:18

I found this verse last summer when I was at one of the lowest points of my life. My husband had recently left. I'd moved back in with my parents. I was lonely. My health was failing. Before my husband had left, I had given up my job so that I could spend more time with him and the kids (and because the job had become stressful with my health problems closing in). Everything that could go wrong, had gone wrong. I felt alone, unwanted and unhealthy. At 36 years old, I was sharing a room with my 3 year old daughter, who cried for her father every night. I'd gone through this ten years earlier with her brother, when his father had left. In a word, I felt abandoned.

I was crying one night and reading the Bible, as I often do late at night when I am low in spirit and feeling brokenhearted. Those exact words were in my thoughts as I randomly chose chapter 34 of Psalms to read, looking for comfort from the Lord. I found it in verse 18. My tears of loneliness and emptiness turned to tears of joy as I felt His comfort, as if He'd reached down and put His arms around me and said, "I'm here."

So, that's the first reason I named my blog "close to the brokenhearted." And, that is the reason that particular verse is the very first thing I shared. I believe it was the start of my healing process.

The second reason I named my blog "close to the brokenhearted," is because I want to help children who have been abused, and their parents who are trying to help them heal. I am step-mother to a very beautiful young lady who was abused by her biological mother. No one knew this when she came into my home. I spent several months trying to figure out just what was wrong before everything was filtered out slowly. The ramifications of that abuse were far-reaching. It affected my son, myself, my husband and others. I had to learn about helping children heal from abuse, the disorders and diagnoses that follow... It was a difficult time. But, what I learned about myself is that I have a talent for helping kids this way. And, I believe I have a calling from God to do it. So, this verse means more to me than just comfort from God for me. It also reminds me of the ways God wants to use me, by being "close to the brokenhearted," in helping them to heal, rescuing them if necessary...

I'm going back to school. I'm pursuing a Masters degree in Social Work so that I can go into private practice and counsel children who've been hurt. I'd also like to coach parents who are hurting and don't know where to turn. I know how hard it was for me. When you're hurting for your child and for yourself it's hard to be objective, to do research and learn. It helps to have someone guide you through, to be close by and lend a hand... to care. That's what I want to do.

On another day, I'll write about my health issues and about school so far. But, I wanted to write about what my thoughts were in starting this blog, and why I chose that name first. Every day is a new adventure, a new opportunity to present Christ to the world, to help others.... to do good... I only hope that somehow I am able to get past my own broken heart to see the need in others and be there when I am needed.

May God bless and keep you,
Amy