The title of this picture is Abandoned — a powerful word that means deserted, left or forsaken. Poor woman. Who has broken her heart? What news has so overwhelmed her? Has she been rejected or thrown away, degraded or shamed? Has someone walked out on her?
The artist's palette is very dark. There is a clock on the wall—she will remember the time, the exact moment when she received crushing news. There is an empty basket on the floor behind her in shadow, perhaps reflective of her own inner emptiness.
She can't lift her head yet to see that her simple table is by a window where the curtain is pulled back and some light is coming through. There is also a small plant on the sill. It looks fragile, but it is there nonetheless.
Perhaps all is not lost and eventually she will come to trust that help will see her through. We have the expression, "Time heals all wounds." I don't think that's true. I'd say instead, God heals. Psalm 147:3 reassures us.
The Lord heals the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Another translation says it this way: "He heals those that are broken in heart, and gives medicine to heal their sickness."
No one goes through life without heartache at least once or twice. We can all tell some personal story about the truth of the psalm verse. Lent is a good time to express fresh gratitude for that healing.
I have also found that hardship builds character. If my life had been all joy and ease, I'd never know what courage is, or strength, or perseverance. I don't know how to describe the strength, courage and perseverance of the Ukrainian men, women and children. Or maybe it's too soon to talk about any of that — this terrible suffering is so profound and ongoing. We could understand despair.
