When You Think Heaven Is Too Far Away
Who Broke Your Longing Heart?
I think every person has a story about one’s heart being broken. It need not be from a romantic relationship. But it certainly comes from having one’s longings crushed.
What was it that tore your heart into pieces? What was it that made you cry?
Was it a friendship that wasn’t able to support you in times when you needed it most? Was it a person you loved who betrayed your sincerity? Was it a dream that seemed so far away no matter how hard you tried to reach it?
Most of our hearts are broken. We grieve the present when it’s no longer as fulfilling as the past. We grieve the past the we’ve forever lost. We grieve for the future we could never seem to control.
We dream, we strive, and we love. We try with all our might but we fail to succeed each time. We expect the best from people only to have our hopes dashed in the end.
When will our longings ever be fulfilled? How could our broken hearts ever be healed?
Wherever you may be, and however your heart may ache, I’d like you to know that there is One who can help you. Yes, there is One who loves you and who will never let you down. You may have heard about Him. You may not even believe He exists. Perhaps you may even hate Him. But I want you to try again. He has been pursuing you all along. Won’t you give God the chance to heal your broken heart?
“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
and saves those who have a crushed spirit.”
- Psalm 34:18, WEBBE
Why You Should Listen to Your Tears
“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.” - Washington Irving
My friend, I know how much you’ve been hurt, and I’ve witnessed how this broken world has disappointed you. I’ve also seen how you tried to be strong through it all. Though it was difficult, and though I could barely imagine your pain, you found the courage to go on. You did not back away from life nor did you surrender your fight.
Sometimes, however, I feel that the burden is already too great for you to bear. It is much too painful to keep inside of you. And that is why I feel that every now and then, you must find a safe place for you to rest. Yes, a safe place where you can take off your heavy armor and just feel all the crazy emotions you feel within.
My friend, there are times when I think that you must allow yourself to cry. It may not be easy at first. It may feel as though all you have is well that’s gone dry. But allow yourself this privilege, the chance to let your tears fall again.
In utter silence, and in the safety of your hiding place, let those tears fall like showers in the midst of summer. Set them free and let them speak. Let them sing the saddest song if they would.
Sometimes we need to feel the pain before we heal. Sometimes we need to listen to our tears.
“You know how troubled I am;
you have kept a record of my tears.
Aren't they listed in your book?”
- Psalm 56:8, GNT
Is Heaven Just Too Far to Reach?
Have you ever felt like heaven is just too far to reach? I mean, we hardly expect anyone to go there directly without going to purgatory. Only the saints do that. And we all know how hard their lives have been on earth. They have had many sufferings and they went through terrible pain. About those in purgatory, they won’t escape suffering either. It is said that the suffering in the life after this one, even if not in hell and just in purgatory cannot compare to the greatest suffering on earth.
Why is it like that? Why is it so hard to be happy? Sometimes it can even feel as though salvation isn’t free. It doesn’t feel so free when we all have to pay such great a price. And yet even all the suffering in the world couldn’t make us deserve heaven. Only the sacrifice of Jesus Himself, of God Himself can do that. And He was the One who suffered most for our sake.
In times like these when I am tempted to despair, I try to remember the child-like faith of St. Therese of Lisieux. I also try to recall an excerpt from St. Faustina’s diary about God’s conversation with a sinful soul. Further, I keep in mind the writings of Julian of Norwich about the goodness and mercy of God.
None of us may enter heaven without suffering, but maybe we can find comfort that the happiness waiting for us there is greater than all of our temporary griefs. The greater our sorrow, the greater also is the space that’s made for more happiness to enter in.
I may be afraid, but I have to trust in the Father who loves us all like little children. Though I cry and cry, He holds me upon His arms to comfort me. And in that way, heaven is never so far away.
“Believe in a love that is being stored up for you like an inheritance, and have faith that in this love there is a strength and a blessing so large that you can travel as far as you wish without having to step outside it.” ― Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
Here I Am
Here I am for you
Here I am with you
Here I am to see you
Here I am to love you.
Only three words
That says a lot
Three little words
That mean so much.
Here I am
I surrender all and give my all,
And I shall love you
with all the love I have in me.
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God's Healing Love (A Catholic Diary)
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Mending Your Heart