Through the Lens of the Broken

AUTHOR'S STATEMENTAfter suffering multiple losses within her family in a short span of time, the author was divinely inspired to give voice to feelings of brokenness and sadness by writing the poems found in Through the Lens of the Broken. The thoughts and emotions that surface during the journey of grief are not easily articulated. As a result, the author found solace in reading the Word of God. Each poem has been paired with a scripture passage that is meant to offer comfort to grieving souls and to make them aware that there is a God who knows their pain and He cares. The author hopes this collection will help the reader to navigate through one of the most challenging times that life can bring and to trust God for the courage and strength to press forward. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. (Isaiah 43:2 NKJV) Through the Lens of the Broken is a poetic journey that weaves in and out of the stages of grief. In the poem "A Gripping Force," Lee clearly paints a picture of the first stage of grief, by far the most acute stage. "A Need for Healing" is a prayer request for the healing of a wound caused by grief. "Feeling the Fog" is so startlingly real it is almost as if it is personified. In the end there is the final stage of grief acceptance and evidence that Lee has moved through the stages of grief with the Comforter who has been holding her and guiding her all along the way (Isaiah 41:10 NIV). Lee's grief journey does not end with the last poem in the book because we traverse through the stages of grief as we remember our loved ones. Grace BridgefordThis book of poems expresses an honest, heart-wrenching journey of emotions one might experience after the loss of a loved one. To navigate in this emotional darkness, we must carry God's word as our light by meditating on the scriptures that Ms. Lee so skillfully matched to each poem. This collection will make you rethink how you pray and bring you closer to God in the process. Audrey Dibble