What Breaks Your Heart?

I’ve had a few heartbreaks in my lifetime, and I bet there are more in my future.  We live on earth with sinners.  Heartbreaks are bound to happen.  We cause many of our heartbreaks, but others can cause some too.

What breaks your heart? After hearing the song, Jesus, Friends of Sinners, I’ve been pondering the idea that Jesus, my friend, is sad with me when my heart gets broken; however, is my heart broken with His over the sin in the world when it doesn’t seem to affect me?  If I ask God to break my heart over the things that break His, I invite heartbreak into my life.  It means I am willing to let go of comfort and convenience to embrace that which is challenging.   

During November, I love making a list of what I’m most grateful for this year. I love looking back over the years and seeing how the list changes and stays the same.  I’m sharing this year’s list, but I am also adding a few things that break my heart because they break His. 

2024 Grateful List

• God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—I would be an even bigger mess without the Trinity. I mean, a huge mess!
• God’s Word!  It’s my daily bread, my lifeline.
• Forgiveness… from Jesus, my husband, friends, family, co-workers, etc.   
• Marty- my husband and best friend
• Marty, Brittne, Kevin, Josh, Liz, Bodhi, Arizona, Desi, Cooper, Collins- They are my world!  They are my favorite people to be with. We also have three grandbabies in heaven.  SIGH… those were hard times, and we still have little holes in our hearts.  We grieve those precious babies we never got to see or hold.  I think we might be a little more thankful because of that grief.  
• My mom is still on this earth! I’m so thankful and do not take that for granted.  She taught me the importance of church and God’s Word. 
• My job as Director of Academics at Grace Academy. It is so fun, hard, invigorating, challenging, and rewarding.
• Grace Academy—Our four oldest grandchildren attend Grace. Having them at school with me is a blessing, which sometimes seems unreal.  
• Christmas movies- My husband loves to watch Christmas movies with me. This is why he is my best friend. 😜 All you single ladies, find a man to watch Hallmark movies with you. 🙂  
• Pink Drink from Starbucks- they make me happy! 
• Roborock- We named ours Alice, after Alice on the Brady Bunch.  This thing is a miracle worker.  We come home to vacuumed and mopped floors.  We schedule it on our app, and WOW!  So thankful.  
• Precept Ministries- this is where/how I learned to study the Bible.  Are you reading the Bible and feel like you are not getting anything out of it?  STUDY instead.  Grab a new Yarrow study here and see how interesting God’s word is.  
• Our new home is an excellent fit for us and a blessing from above. 
• Office Supplies-Paper Mate Handwriting pencil, Flair Markers, planners… I’ll take it all!
• Books—I learn so much from others, and  I love reading the works of many authors. 
• Pumpkin PIe… my favorite pie! 
• Birkenstocks- no explanation needed- just so incredibly comfortable! 
• Fuzzy Socks- I love a good pair of fuzzy socks as the weather gets cooler.
• Family- I’m thankful for those surrounding us in good and challenging times.
• Hot Chocolate with a little bit of coffee- It’s my favorite morning delight. 
• Friends—I am blessed with many. Their love for me reveals a glimpse of Jesus! My closest friends have celebrated my highest highs and carried me through my lowest lows.  
• Blankets- Visit me; blankets are all over my house.  
• Sunshine- I need it every day.  I know we need winter, but…
• A day in my PJs- It is just the best when I can stay in them all day!  Those days are super rare, but when they come around, I’m so thankful!
• Young Living Essential Oils- especially Frankincense! I’ve been with YL for ten years.  
• Mexican Cokes—I love Coke but do not want to put high-fructose corn syrup in my body. I know! I know! Mexican Cokes are unhealthy, but at least they are better than the other Cokes I treat myself to a few times a month. 
• Grace Baptist Church is my local church that I am a member of.  I’m thankful for the freedom to walk into my church with my Bible in my hand with complete freedom.  We may not always have this freedom. 
• My sisters.  There are three of us, and I am so thankful I have them. 
• The heated seats in my car are a blessing each cold morning!   
• Last but not least… The BEACH!  I am in great need of Vitamin Sea! It’s my favorite place to go.

Lord, Break My Heart For What Breaks Yours!

• Sex trafficking- all ages, but especially young children
• Divorce- family breakdown
• Social Media addiction
• School shootings
• Gang violence
• What would you add to this list? 

The list could be a mile long.  These are just a few things I want to continue to pray for our world.  

Hey, Y’all- Happy Thanksgiving!  Stay grateful all year long!