Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

By Karen Friday

He slid the note across a neighboring student’s desk, motioning to pass on to the intended recipient—that would be me. My name visible along the top fold of paper.

Feeling as though the world was ending that day and I would never survive this breakup. The quirkiness of seventh grade. When did I decide boys did not have cooties? (This should be re-evaluated.)

Many breakups would be scattered across my young life. I made it out alive. Yet, my heart was lacking resilience—as are most hurting hearts.

Breakups are hard. Heartbreaking. The larger the investment of time, the harder we fall. The song title, Breaking Up is Hard To Do, describes how sobering the experience.

Although painful, some breakups are in my best interest. Therefore, I’m composing a note to send, specifying the exact reasons I want out. If you are a neighboring heart, please pass on to the intended recipient.

To Insecurity: 

Dear Insecurity, We’ve spent a lot of time together. I have grown comfortable with you these many years. A loyal companion, but not a trustworthy one—always denying the truth and believing a lie. Its been just the two of us in this love affair. But I’m tired of the on-again, off-again charade. It’s off. We’re done. Sincerely, Secure in Christ.

To Perfectionism:

Dear Perfectionism, I opened my heart to you and let you in. Masquerading as a heart-throb, yet you are a heart-rob—stealing my joy. This isn’t working out. We are breaking up and never making up again. I’m saying, “goodbye.” I don’t love you anymore. From, My Heart Belongs to Christ.

To Pride:

Dear Pride, I know you’ve been seeing other people on the side and never wiped one tear I cried. You dazzle with false hope of greatness. You thought I was never leaving, but I’m giving up on us. Get it? Got it? Good! Signed, Christ above all.

To Acceptance:

Dear Acceptance, Once a restless heart, I needed you. I’ve grown weary with what people think of me, needing their approval, and acceptance of who I am. There’s a new guy in my life. One who will always be the lover of my soul. I’m over you and moving on. No longer hopelessly devoted to you. The end. Don’t call or write, Chosen by Christ.

To Me: 

Dear Me, You’ve changed since we first met. Like two strangers now, you’re someone I used to know. It’s time to walk away. I’m not living the same way. Spiritual death has parted us. No longer at your service, Christ Lives in Me.

Exits out of these relationships will not happen overnight. I may find myself on a blind date with any one of them offering enough pampering to warrant weak moments.

But my standards are high. Breakups are usually heartbreaking because they are about loss. In these breakups, it’s about gain.

Whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:7-8 NASB

Another note has been passed on through the ages by neighboring students of The Word. A letter declaring unconditional love from a loyal and trustworthy companion. A relationship with Jesus worth our greatest investment of time and highest devotion. The intended recipient? That would be me…and you.

 

“Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”- Neil Sedaka, Artist

© 2015 by Karen Friday