“God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you."
~ Bobby Boyd
Madeline knew it was coming, but
there was no way to avoid it. She was
about to be dumped again though, given their current relationship, it was
probably for the best.
She caught only the first few words that escaped his throat. In an instant, she felt something crack
inside and the infamous question leaked out: “Wasn’t I good enough?”
She’d heard it all during 15 years of dating. Her first breakup was via a note passed to her
in seventh grade. By comparison, it was
kinda cute.
There were boyfriends who loved their mothers more, those
that needed more “space,” and of course - serial cheaters. One guy even broke up with her to join the
circus. Really?
January 1st is probably a significant date for most
people. For Madeline, that was the day one
beau made a resolution to change his life - without her in it. One suggested that he didn’t have time for a
relationship right then; that she should call him back after deer season. Another even proposed with the same ring he’d
given his ex-fiancée . . . without even resizing it.
Everything had just collapsed in a blink of an eye. Maddie had lost a battle she’d never agreed to
fight.
Now comes that awkward time - the moment between being
together and fully being apart, where everything gives reason for pathetic hope.
It’s a raw, ugly time.
Then comes the realization that, “They found someone else,” or,
“They’re much better off without me.” Even
though it’s worse than life in limbo, it’s akin to plunging into icy-cold water
instead of adjusting to it, inch by inch.
It’s having to act totally calm when you spend entire days
at work staring right through your computer screen, trying not to cry; having
to keep living a life suddenly stripped of meaning, and pretending you’re not
as crushed as you feel.
Tears left a damp trail on Maddie’s pillow as she cried that
night. Each teardrop engraved yet
another scar, leaving her alone and afraid.
Only one man could console her during these meltdowns. So after work, she stopped by for some
relationship advice.
“Honey,” he began, “the day I stopped looking for the right
woman and started trying to become the right man, your Mom stepped into my
life. The only thing you should have to
do to “keep him interested” is to be you. The right person will love the real you!”
Everyone will experience the relationship breakup at some
point - most will face several. They’re
hard - even that stupid song says so. But there’s always an upside - break-ups offer
the chance to grow stronger, tougher and wiser.
Being beautiful means being yourself!
Thank you, Lord, for being more than just my
God right now. Thank you for being my
Father. Comfort me knowing that You have
plans for me and that one day I will find the person that fits with those
plans. Amen
