You might be scratching your head at this title. It may seem an odd title. That’s okay. It took me awhile to wrap my head around it, too.
I follow a graphic designer by the name of Timothy Goodman on Instagram. He recently lost someone dear to him, and his posts have been really reflecting that.
This is one he posted on April 6th…
I’ve considered these words so much. I’ve felt them deeply. And been able to encourage others with them so greatly. Given recent events, that is no small thing.
A girl I knew committed suicide last weekend. I didn’t know her very well, but my friend did. Everyone was/is in shock, and there are a million questions left unanswered. No one saw it coming. She was kind and loving, and was such a bright light. It hurts me to know that she was in a dark place, that she couldn’t get out of that place. I used to run into her every once in a while. She always asked how I was doing, and offered a warm smile when she saw me. She loved. And she loved well.
Just like Jamie Tworkowski says his friends are worth his tears (see previous post, Learning How To Lose), I believe what Timothy Goodman has to say about being heartbroken. What a gift we have to be heartbroken when people leave us. Whether it be a break up, death, deployment, relocation…those people you miss and long for–they made it into your heart. You were known by them and loved by them, and what a beautiful gift it is to know that. What a gift to be heartbroken.
I think this is how God feels about us. That he was so heartbroken and longing for us, he made a way for us to be with him. AND WHAT A GIFT. That the Creator would make a way to be with his creations because he was heartbroken to have them near. Because his love is so great and wide and deep for us, he sent Jesus into the world to be the ultimate sacrifice so that WE could be with HIM. FOR-EV-ER. That’s wild and reckless love, guys.
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“Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God”
–Cory Asbury, Reckless Love
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It sucks to be heartbroken sometimes. Just because it’s a privilege, doesn’t mean its a fun one. In the end, though…what a gift we have in this life to love and be loved. Our friends. Our parents. Our families. Our dogs (different, but still).
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“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”
–David Bowie, Nature Boy
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I hope this makes sense. And I hope it encourages you to love fiercely, wildly, and kindly. Allow yourself to be vulnerable with people close to you. And be there to listen and do the same for others. Be a person who is kind and compassionate. There are too many burdens in this life, and we are not made to carry them alone. If you have broken relationships, try your best to repair them, forgive them, start over.
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“If you love somebody, tell them. If there is conflict, let it go and fight instead for peace. Break the numb false silence and break the distance too. Laugh and cry and apologize and start again. This life is short and fragile but friendship is among the greatest miracles.”
–Jamie Tworkowski, If You Feel Too Much
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“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
–1 Thessalonians 5:11
All my love,
Vicks
