The Lord is Close to the Brokenhearted
Losing a loved one is hard. Grieving is hard. But the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
Grief has a strange way of silencing the world around you. When I lost my father, it felt like life lost its color, like the air itself had grown heavy. I was young, and though people said time would heal, the weight of that absence stayed. Yet over time, I have learned that though loss changes everything, God never changes. His presence became the anchor that held me, my mother, and my two sisters through the darkest valley of our lives.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
— Psalm 34:18
When my father passed away, the future felt uncertain. He was not only the emotional center of our family, but also the one who held things together practically. My mother, in her quiet strength, suddenly bore the entire weight of raising three daughters alone. But we were not truly alone—God had already written provision into our story.
The Lord is Close to the Brokenhearted
At a time when we were unsure how we would survive, God sent us a shepherd—a pastor, not just of the church, but of our lives. He wasn’t a man of fanfare, but of deep conviction, sacrifice, and humility. He stood beside us with unwavering support, and guided us like his own daughters. Laboring, not for recognition, but out of obedience to Christ. He ensured we were educated, spiritually nurtured, and emotionally supported.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:19
This pastor became God’s hands and feet in our lives. He taught us how to stand firm in faith and how to find joy in service. There were times when I wanted to quit, to give up, when grief made me question my worth. But God never stopped reminding me through this pastor that my life had purpose.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
— Psalm 147:3
Even in seasons when others criticized him—questioned his ways, overlooked his sacrifices—he never wavered. I remember him saying, “God will bless those who encourage me. I trust Him to deal with those who don’t.” Those words have stayed with me. His resilience and trust in God’s justice inspired my own.
Our Father in Every Season
During those tough times of my life, I began to realize that God’s healing doesn’t always look like a sudden miracle. Sometimes, it looks like a person who walks with you day by day, reminding you that God sees. God cares. God provides.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
— Psalm 23:4
Today, I still remember the hollow ache. But I carry something greater—the testimony of how God stepped in.
Through every tuition fee paid, every word of encouragement spoken, and every prayer whispered over our lives, God was present—and He still is. It has been 12 years since we lost our father, but God’s provision has never ceased. He continues to be our Father, feeding us, guiding us, and sustaining us in every season.
To My Grieving Sisters in Christ
To anyone grieving, I want to say: Your tears are not forgotten. Your pain is not invisible. And even when it seems like hope is gone, God is working. He is sending help. He is drawing near.
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
— Psalm 30:5
My story is not just about loss—it’s about the grace of the Loving Lord. It’s about the God who sees orphans and becomes the Father of the fatherless. It’s about a mother’s silent strength, and a pastor’s faithful service. Most of all, it’s about a Savior who walks with us through every storm—even when the nights are long, the tears are many, and the road feels too steep. Jesus doesn’t promise a life free from pain, but He promised His presence in the pain. What felt like ashes—shame, loss, abandonment—He turned into beauty: a testimony, a calling, a song of praise played through the keys of an organ and the pages of our lives.
Related Post: From Broken to Mended
This is the Savior we serve—the One who turns weeping into worship, abandonment into adoption, and sorrow into strength. My life is proof that even the most painful beginnings can become powerful testimonies of God’s redeeming love.
“We were left behind—but never left without our Father”.
About the Author
Jemima D. Caleb
Jemima D. Caleb is a Christian writer, teacher, and church organist from India who finds her strength and purpose in Christ. After losing her father at a young age, Jemima witnessed God’s unfailing provision through the love of a devoted pastor and the resilience of her mother. Today, she uses her story to encourage the brokenhearted and remind others that they are never alone in their pain. Jemima is the author of Nearer to Thee: A Journey towards the Crucified Saviour and Tulip Among the Thorns, books that reflect her journey of faith, grace, and redemption. When she’s not writing, she finds joy in quiet worship, teaching children, and serving God through music and words.
From the Desk of Jemima D. Caleb
Tulip Among the Thorns
As most people know, faith is not confined within the four walls of the church or the pages of the Bible. Instead, it’s a living and breathing force that should be revealed in all the aspects of our lives. It defines how God expects His children to live a fruitful life by glorifying Him in all that we do, as a Tulip Among the Thorns.
