Moisture hung heavily in the air last night. The heat of the day became drenched with tropical dewpoints. A welcome thunderstorm opened up the heavens, pouring huge droplets. So heavy that a portion of the birch tree clump in our backyard fell to the ground. As I opened the blinds this morning, it was apparent that the storm had broken one of the boughs. There was a manmade bird nest, which housed some little warblers. I’m hopeful they survived.

I was reminded of the old nursery rhyme, “Rock a Bye Baby.” Some of those old rhymes carry a lot of weight of their own. Imagine placing a child in the bough of a tree to rock it to sleep. The rhyme originated at a time when people actually placed their little ones in small handmade hammocks, as they worked in the fields or washed their clothes in the river. The entire song goes like this:

Rock-a-bye Baby
Rock-a-bye baby,
On the treetop.
When the wind blows,
The cradle will rock.
When the bough breaks,
The cradle will fall
And down will come baby,
Cradle and all.

Baby is drowsing,
Cosy and fair.
Mother sits near,
In her rocking chir.
Forward and back,
The cradle she swings
And though baby sleeps,
He hears what she sings.

From the high rooftops
Down to the sea,
No one’s as dear
As baby to me.
Wee little fingers,
Eyes wide and bright-
Now sound asleep,
Until morning light.

When hearts have been broken, it’s much like the felling of a tree. It can be disastrous and sometimes even fatal. Like a brough that has been beaten by the elements, there is a price to pay. There will be sadness, loss, feelings of loneliness and separation. Broken hearts may not heal, but they can serve a different purpose in the scheme of living.

A heart that’s been broken can only be mended by the One who created it.
When we stumble through life with no direction, the One who knows us inside and out is there to guide our steps.
When we lose all hope of things improving for us, all we need to do is go to God, who can do all things.
God never lets us down. He’s the same today as He was yesterday
and will be tomorrow and forever.
Put your trust in Him – not in things of this world – which are only temporary,
Rely on His faithfulness, His divine intervention, his flawless love.
No one person,or thing can repair our sin sick souls; love us unconditionally;
and guarantee eternal life to all who believe in Him.