Wouldn’t it be terrific to mend your broken heart?
Today debuts the first of eight posts in the blog series, “Mending a Broken Heart.” My prayer is you’ll find hope and healing as we talk together about tough stuff like abuse and divorce and addiction and the death of loved ones. Please join me every Tuesday and Thursday for my “Mending a Broken Heart” posts.
In a moment you’ll hear from my guest blogger, Kc Christman Hutter, author of A Broken Heart.
First. . .
How We Met, Why I Care
Kc and I crossed paths online and became fast friends. She sent me her memoir.
It’s fresh, this voice, this wise voice. Her Facebook photo belies the fact she grew up in the age of black-and-white photos and record players, her heart broken and searching for peace–physical, mental, and emotional.
Isn’t it reassuring to know you’re not alone in your pain? Having a fellow traveler helps, wouldn’t you agree?
Here’s a link to read more about A Broken Heart, even get your own copy. I highly recommend it. Four stars.
Who of us has not been broken?
Who of us has not cried out in desperation for relief? for hope?
Here’s a brief excerpt from “A Broken Heart.” You’ll meet the precious red-headed girl with the green tin suitcase, all grown up and running from an abuser. I added three application questions at the end.
Anthony was a tall Italian with curly, coal black hair–and a master’s degree. I’ve always admired people with college degrees. His degree could have been story telling. Fact or fiction, he wove spellbinding words together. We became lovers.
When Honeywell hired him to work in Colorado Springs, he, asked, “Would you consider moving with me?” On one knee he added, “Marry me.”
Head over heels in love, I moved with my two sons from Minot, North Dakota, to Teeter Tottter Circle in the shadow of Pikes Peak. Little did I realize our house on Teeter Totter would live up to its name. . ..
Sunny Mornings, Dark Nights
Sunny mornings and then dark nights played out like a movie of passion and deceit. I found bottles of whiskey stashed all over the house. Six months after the move, I became the sole bread winner. After a year, I had no illusions or hope that the situation would improve.
While my two sons were in school and Anthony on the golf course, I hired a moving truck. I took my stuff, the boys’ stuff, and left his stuff–including his wet bar. We went into hiding in a condo on the other side of town.
Thank you, Jesus, for finding me a refuge away from verbal and physical abuse. No stale booze odor in our home.
Two weeks later, our quiet was shattered. Anthony had followed one of my sons home from school. Knocking at the door, Anthony said, “I want a second chance. Why did you leave me? I love you. I’m sorry. Move back.”
“No!” I replied.
He grabbed me. My blouse tore. The boys and I fled to the safety of a motel. Days later, I called my neighbor. They told me Anthony left my condo escorted by the police.
Police!
Walking into my home, it was hard to comprehend the destruction: broken whiskey bottles on the floor; brown stains on the carpet; telephone ripped from the wall and used as a hammer; pieces of glass from broken picture frames shattered on my bed; dots of his blood spattered on the walls; plants overturned and left wilting, dying; jewelry ripped apart; treasured heirlooms gone.
“We called the police because of all the racket,” my neighbor said. . ..
A gnawing gut feeling told me: Call Uncle Gay and Aunt Lou in North Dakota. They were now in their golden years.
Hearing my voice, they started crying. They asked, “Are you all right? Anthony called and told us you were kidnapped and placed in a prostitution ring in Chicago.”
About Kc and New Life
Kc was brought up in the church but did not have a personal relationship with Jesus until after her second divorce. She told the Lord in prayer, weeping and clutching her uncle’s Bible: “I’ve made such a mess of my life doing it my may. I forgot how much you love me. Forgive me.” God gave her the strength to pen a memoir and the hope to guide those who are hurting and without hope to the Mender of Broken Hearts.
Kc is married and lives in Washington State. She is the mother of two adult sons, one of whom died of cancer and is now with the Lord, and a grandmother.
A Few Questions
1. What warning signs early in their relationship signaled that Anthony may be abusive?
2. Name some pros and cons of leaving a man like Anthony?
3. Isn’t it reassuring to learn that God hates abuse? Why do you think he allows abuse to happen when he hates it?
Hope for You
My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.
Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. (Psalm 25:15-17, 20)
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My hopes are that the Lord God will reach out and give His healing touch to hurting women. I know I thought I was strong and could handle anything that came up in my life. With those thoughts there was hell to pay for my wrong choices. I have heard it said, “the choice controls the choicer.” Desperate for love I looked in all the wrong places. After being left all alone in California, no family or friends…..on my knees I looked up and found my Jesus Christ looking down to love me without any questions….He loves you and me, Listen to the truth of God’s love that Lucy will share during these next few weeks.
Thanks for sharing your story. I’m sure your book will touch many lives. Bless you, Kc!
Thanks for your sharing your heart, Kc. Tomorrow’s post and the one after pulls the covers off divorce. I share a bit of my story. Too. 🙂
Divorce can be like a death. In my first marriage, which lasted fourteen years, he was a friend that I still miss.
Thank you for sharing!!! Love Kc and her wonderful book!!! :o)
Have you read it? It’s available on Amazon.
I can’t believe all you have been through. I’m so glad you found your Saviour & he has helped heal your heart.
Kc’s story is a wonderful story of the Lord’s redemption and unfailing love.
Awesome book & awesome author! Thank you for sharing Kc’s wonderful book! Hope & healing for the broken heart! :o)
Amen, Sandi!
A heart broken by the death of a family member, dear friend or treasured child (as KC’s was) will never truly be mended. But KC’s sad journey is cathartic as it leads to a renewal of her heart and spirit. Finding some semblance of wholeness again through spirituality, she gives us all inspiration to live a life closer to God and to appreciate all the gifts we have on this earth, however fleeting.
Ingrid, coming up is conversation on the death of a loved one in one of next week’s posts so be sure to stop by and read it. Kc’s son died from a tragic illness. I agree that no mother ever heals completely from such a loss.
Isn’t is good to know that our Heavenly Father understands? His Son died too. He defeated death too. His resurrection proves this. Amen.
i have only read excerpts of your book “mending a broken heart” but what i have read is excellent. i can’t wait for my copy to come in the mail. i am sure this book is just what i need as i feel i can relate to KC stories in what she has already shared. she is down to earth and shares the truth that only the Lord is able to mend a broken heart. thank you KC.
Hi Judi,
You’ll love Kc’s fresh voice. Her writing is real and pain-filled and hopeful and a balm for the hurting soul.
A warning sign to me was he moved her to a different state to isolate her! A pro about leaving is God didn’t intend abuse for marriage and leaving allowed her children a better example for marriage. A con for leaving is the fact that men like Anthony don’t give up easily! It is very reassuring that God hates abuse! God gives us all a free will,those who are lost don’t listen to him and excersise their abusive behaviors. I believe it’s more of human freewill than God allowing it..
Good points, Amanda. Abusers do not give up easily. Isn’t it reassuring that each of us who are in an abusive situation can turn to God and get not only comfort but also answers to our questions?
I have read Kc’s book. I thank God that she has found Jesus & is living in a different world
today. she has found love and peace. I am the school girl she talks about in the book in the
country school, but we also attended high school together.
This is a wonderful place to read, share and encourage those who have had their heart broken
by life’s adversities. Kc’s book is so fresh, honest and reassuring that it helps us all believe and grow in our faith to know God cares deeply for us and He is tender and loving towards those who have suffered. Her story is my story and its important to realize we are never on our journey alone. God brings good friends at just the right moment to encourage and uplift us when we need it most.
Dee Kamp
“Mending a Broken Heart” is the kind of book you can’t lay down after you start reading it.
I can only say that God carried Kc when Cameron went to heaven. She is a wonderful and loving Christian sister. I am so proud of her for writing this outstanding book and I know it will help many people who are grieving at this time.
Elaine, so you’re the school girl in the book. Great to meet you. Thanks for being a friend to Kc. We couldn’t get along well without friends, right?
yes it’s very sad that people can be like they were in the old day’s.they really stay together till death,good times and bad times….
Kc pours out her heart in an honest and open way to help those who are hurting and need to mend their broken hearts. It will bring you to tears many times and touch your heart’s longing to be healed