The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.  ~ Psalm 34:18

Another verse that I love is Psalm 34:18. The Bible-reading schedule I used for years had me reading Psalms in July and August. Shortly after my dad’s sudden death in 2004, I read this verse. I was grieving his loss so deeply the loss of my dad, and the loss of my family as it once was. Everything – and I suppose everyone – changed so much after Dad’s death. I realize that this verse is referring to someone who is repenting of sin, but I liked the first part and clung to it. A “broken heart” can be  caused by sin, by loss, by death, by loneliness, and many other things. I had a broken heart because of the death my dad, with whom I was very close. I had a broken heart because I didn’t get to say goodbye. I had a broken heart because my mother was hurting, and I didn’t know what to do to help. My sister was grieving in her own way, as was my brother. The familial bond was torn apart as we each tried to find healing and comfort for ourselves.

I looked for help from my husband. That didn’t work. He’s a great man, but after all, he is only a man. My friends, who were well-meaning, often added to the pain by their flippant comments. There seemed to be nowhere to turn. Then one summer morning, I arrived at my spot for to read my Bible and pray, and I read this verse. It was a blessing to know that the LORD was nigh! Jehovah, the Creator of the universe, was near me when everyone else had abandoned me. Of course, they hadn’t really abandoned me, they just couldn’t offer the help that I needed. No human could.

I did manage to keep going, to heal and to feel close to my family again. It took a while, but eventually life took on a new rhythm.

For each and every step of my journey, the Lord was, and is, nigh. Nothing is more comforting than that.