I recognized her as soon as I saw her sitting on the couch.  When she spoke, her voice was familiar.  She looked troubled.  Stressed is how someone described her.  I saw it written on her face and in her body language.  She looked like she was running from the past and hoping an uncertain future wouldn’t find her.

I heard her story that night.  I had heard a different story a few years earlier.  Both true.  Both unsettling.

I’ve been thinking about her for 4 days now.  Her story was of someone broken.  Really broken.  Abused.  Neglected.  Used.  Given up.  Sold.  Scarred.  Addicted.  Unloved.  Alone.

Her past is one I don’t relate to, but her need for a Savior is as real as my need for my Savior.

She’s never had anyone who has really loved her.  She’s never known hope.  She thinks God hates her.  And she doesn’t even know what God is capable of.  She doesn’t know that he loved her before she was even born.  She doesn’t know that he had planned out her life before she even existed.  She doesn’t know that His son died for her.  Maybe she knows.  Maybe she just can’t accept that she’s worthy of His love.

Those who should have loved her didn’t.  She has never know a love that’s given freely without demanding something in return.  There’s always been a price.

She thought that when she got clean her family would welcome her with open arms.  They didn’t.

How does a broken person mend if they have no hope?

I’m reading Ann Voskamp’s latest book, “The Broken Way”.  Ann says, “No matter what they’re saying, everyone’s asking, ‘Can you just love me’.

I’ve heard that users use people and hurt people hurt people.  Does that mean we shouldn’t love them?  If those who love God don’t show love to the unloved, who will?

Jesus specialized in helping broken people.  Some broken people didn’t know him.  The woman who had been married 5 times and was living with a man who wasn’t her husband.  The woman caught in adultery.  The tax collector who kept some of the money for himself.  Jesus helped them anyway.  Even people who followed him were broken.  One disciple denied knowing him.  Another disciple betrayed him.  Jesus loved them anyway.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30