The tragedy of unreturned love

Elizabeth Barrett had published four poetry books by the time she was 12 years old. Three years later, her life changed dramatically when she suffered a horrible spinal injury. Her family believed she would be confined to bed for the rest of her life.

Barrett’s father was a jealous, domineering man. After a son drowned, he refused to allow his other children to marry, and because of this, Elizabeth was almost a recluse until she was nearly 40. The gifted poet never quit writing, but she seemed destined to endure a sad, lonely life.

One of Elizabeth’s books caught the eye of the famous poet, Robert Browning, and he began corresponding with her. As their letters became more frequent, he encouraged her to try to get out of bed and live a more active life. He also asked if he could visit in person.

Barrett’s parents rejected his suggestion and request and were threatened by him. Though they had never met in person, the two poets were falling in love.

About a year later, Barrett escaped the room in which her father had imprisoned her for years. She and Browning secretly married and moved to Italy. In that sunny climate, she grew stronger and became more active.

Her family responded by disowning her. Though she wrote them almost every week, expressing her love and saying she wanted to be part of their lives, they refused to respond. After ten long years of writing unanswered letters, she received a large box containing every letter mailed to her parents… none had even been opened!

These “love letters” from one of the most gifted writers in the world are now part of English literature. Had her tragically dysfunctional family read even one, perhaps their broken relationship would have been restored, but that did not happen.

How tragic that this fractured family refused to accept the love Elizabeth longed to share with them. It reminds me of the love God shared with the world when he sent Jesus to Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. Consider the angel’s announcement to the shepherds that first Christmas night. “‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you…’” (Luke 2:10-12, NASB, my emphasis)

God sent Jesus into the world for us. When we reject God’s gift, we unfortunately act like Elizabeth’s family, who refused to accept the love their gifted daughter was so intent on sharing in her unopened letters. If you have not yet accepted the baby God sent to show us his love, I pray you will this Christmas.