Have you taken a risk for another person lately? A risk that might have left you raw and exposed with your heart laid out barren for all to see.
Risking for the sake of others means you will be hurt. [tweet that] Sometimes that hurt is not even intended, but it comes as heartaches and tears.
I’ve spent the better part of the last year serving on the streets, learning about the community, and building relationships with those who live on a different side of the street than I do. It’s a journey I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Being vulnerable hurts.
There have been so many I’ve met and poured in to with prayer, food, and friendship. And it stings the soul when you find out you might not see them again as they’ve moved or even been imprisoned. Some sweet souls I know I’ll never see again as murders have taken place and the sting of overdose is reality. The streets are hard.
My heart aches especially for the women with children. Hard circumstances leave them homeless and that’s where our souls met. On the street, children in tow. The laughter and smiles I see in my dreams. It’s a precious friendship born out of crazy situations.
When you can’t do anything you pray.
I recently learned that a family I came to love were in a horrible accident. The 6 year old girl was playing with dangerous chemicals and ended up with 30% of her body was burnt.
She was life-flighted to a children’s burn hospital. My soul aches.
The should-have’s, could-have’s, and would-of’s haunt my weary soul. But all that’s left to do is pray.
3 things you can do when love hurts.
1. You pray.
There are many ways your heart can be broken-in-two when you serve others. And for each there is a natural desire for you to want to bury yourself in the dark of the room to avoid the pain. Just remember that even if you can’t do anything — you can pray. Your prayers can heal others as well as your weary heart.
2. You keep on.
When you want to give up and hide underneath the covers — don’t. Keep moving. You keep smiling and rejoicing. Don’t let the hard hurts of life stop you from living and being a light to others. They are counting on you!
3. You love again.
When you’ve loved with all you have and your heart is left broken in pieces, it is so easy to begin guarding your heart. You begin putting walls up and not letting others in for fear of having your heart torn to shreds again. But the best way to overcome the hurt and heal is to actually love. Love out load. Love boldly.
On days when you don’t feel like loving again, you have to. Your expressions of love will heal your heart.
Are you fighting giving up because you realize real love hurts?
If so, chose today to love again as others are waiting on you.
Oh, wow, this is so perfect. And I am so sorry about that sweet little girl. How awful – praying for her and her family right now.
#2. You keep on.
This is the one that is hardest. Keeping on.
Glad you have kept on encouraging us and sharing the stories of those you encounter along the way.
Thanks, Sweet Alene.
I sometimes get paralyzed when bad things happen to those around me. This is a great list. I may not always know what to do, but I can pray. That I do know :)
Such love you have that you are able to give again and again. Prayer restores us, fills us up again doesn’t it? I am visiting from Amy’s blog today – nice to meet you.
Yes. My heart was so broken when we lost the young man we were trying to get off of heroin and into life. He knew Jesus before the end–and that’s a blessing beyond measure. But oh the hurt of a life cut short. And yes, for me, it makes me more determined to go out and love again, and maybe win, and be a light for the desperate. So praying for you on this journey.
This past weekend I left church on Sunday with my heart feeling heavy. This was the first time in months I had been to Taking it To the Streets. Within minutes of being there, I wanted to cry just seeing all the kids and their condition, but at the same time these kids have made me realize why God has put me in children’s ministry ( to be given an opportunity to love on those very kids). The next day a friend of mine brought her new foster child to my Sunday class. This child was found sunburned wandering the beach at night with no parents. According to the child her mom took her to the bathroom and told her bye and just left her. On the good side of this story, my friend is really happy about having her and is looking to adopt her.