Museum of broken relationships

A garden dwarf, a glass house, and a box made of matches. These items and many others are on display at the Museum of Broken Relationships in Croatia. It exists so that everyone who contributes a memento from a shattered relationship has the chance to "overcome emotional collapse through creation."

The Bible offers even more constructive insight on how to mend broken hearts. Jeremiah wrote Lamentations based on his firsthand experience with heartbreak over the nation of Israel.

Sorrowfully, he said, "I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss" (3:20).

Jeremiah acknowledged his pain. He didn't bury it or get busy and just try to forget. He expressed his feelings, proving that there is "a time to grieve" (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

Deep in his grief, Jeremiah never lost sight of God's love. He knew, "The faithful love of the Lord never ends!" (v.22). In the Hebrew language, this refers to a kind of love called chesed love, translation: loyal love. Although people we cherish may break our heart, God's love will never disappoint us. God's consistent, dependable affection caused Jeremiah to proclaim, "I will hope in Him!" (v.24). The idea of hope here relates to waiting for something, or lingering. While it's tempting to pine away for that guy or girl who just said sayonara, it's better to put our hope in God. He "will never abandon [us]" (Hebrews 13:5). If you're recovering from a splintered relationship, remember that it's okay to take time to mourn the loss. Allow God to comfort you with His faithful love, and wait on Him for emotional healing. Then you can eventually toss out all the reminders of lost love, with no need to keep them on display. , Jennifer Benson Schuldt

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