
I have an appointment on Monday for my windshield to be replaced.
I’m thankful for the ability to have it replaced. I’m less thankful for the $500 payment that will be required. I think the most frustrating part is that I’m having to pay dearly for something that wasn’t my fault.
In fact, I was doing exactly what I was supposed to do, driving to work, not bothering anyone and pop! Out of nowhere a rock kicked up off of the tires of a work vehicle merging from the on ramp. The driver of that vehicle had no idea what happened and no intention of it happening. They drove on towards their destination none the wiser. I, however, was now left with an issue that was going to require something of me. Usually, if the initial crack is smaller than a quarter, the insurance company will fix it for free. Unfortunately, the rock was just big enough and did just enough damage that it landed outside of those perimeters. This is the second windshield I’ve had replaced in the last 2 years.
There’s something about this scenario that causes my inner 7 year old to want to stomp her feet and shout “That’s not fair!”
I won’t be going to the person who caused the issue- it’s not even an option. I need a specialist. Someone intimately familiar with the design and details to ensure proper installation and safety. Even if I was able to confront the person, the infraction was unintentional and they wouldn’t be able to fix the damage that was done the way it needed to be fixed.
Our hearts, like windshields, sometimes incur damage from others. Rarely, the damage is offered intentionally. Most of us are simply doing the best we can with what we have and what we know. Out of our own broken places we live our lives and impact others living theirs. We get hurt. We hurt others.
Most often, the one responsible for the needed repair, be it us or them, has no true idea of the extent of the damage caused and isn’t the one who has the ability to fix it. I mean, I’ve been that person on the wrong end of a bad day who unintentionally said or did something that hurt someone I loved. An apology alone did not remedy the hurt offered.
I too have been that one who has been hurt and sometimes received an apology, sometimes not...apology appreciated, there was still work to be done to repair the wound. In order for that to happen I had to choose to take my heart to the only one who has the ability to repair it. It took time and time in the presence of the very one who created my heart and knows it best.
There is one who specializes in heart repair.
Psalm 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
Often, when we take our heart to the Lord for repair, there are things He requires of us. Healing is often hard work.
The choice to forgive.
The choice to walk in love.
The choice to move forward.
There have been times when my heart cried out at the unfairness of having to do the work to heal. And yet, refusal to do my part of what was required to heal would simply leave me broken.
For instance, if someone accidentally or on purpose ran you over with their car, you would most likely be left with some serious injuries. You would have to choose whether you were going to do the hard work of physical therapy to regain strength and mobility in the limbs affected. You could choose not to, but where would that leave you? Broken.
The broken walk among us. Many of us are broken. Our brokenness doesn’t just impact us but it impacts those around us. And often, it impacts the ones we love most in the most significant ways.
It is our responsibility to take responsibility for the brokenness in our lives regardless of where it came from. We can be angry and resentful that we are broken but until we do what we need to do to remedy that brokenness, broken we remain.
So how do we begin to remedy our brokenness?
Firstly, take your heart to the one who created it. Ask Him what areas of your heart have been damaged by others. Ask Him what steps need to be taken to heal those wounds.
Listen and obey.
It may be a work done just between you and Him.
He may lead you to a book to read or a Bible study to complete.
He may encourage you to talk with a friend or a therapist.
He may urge you to have a difficult conversation.
He may lay it on your heart to pray for the person who wounded you.
It’s an individual journey.
It’s a journey worth taking.
Whatever is required of you to walk in a higher level of well-being and wholeness is a worthy investment both for yourself and for everyone else.

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