Remember
They say time heals all wounds. I’m not exactly sure that is true. Time may “scab over” all wounds…may “seal up” or “close” open wounds…may make it easier to block out the pain or provide us with methods to cover up the scars, much like certain makeup used cover a blemish…but is a wound ever completely “healed”? And would it really be good to eliminate all evidence of a wound?
The older I get, the more I am convinced that God has given us the scars on our bodies to help us remember the wounds we have suffered – not to forget them. For instance, I am reminded daily of my repaired anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in my knee (an old “war” injury suffered during the greatest pastime on earth!). After my injury, the exceptionally skilled surgeon replaced the ACL with a portion of my patella tendon (the ligament that holds my knee-cap in place), and told me that it would probably be stronger than the original. Yet I still feel a twinge when the weather changes or I have to walk up and down the stairs. The minor discomfort (sometimes a dull pain) and the rather large scar on my knee reminds me daily that I am not whole as I once was, (leaning over my belly to see my knee also reminds me that I am not as I once was). Even the tiniest scar, like the one on my foot that I got when I cut myself on a piece of glass or the one on my hand when I learned that a hand saw is not for sawing my hand, projects a memory as clear and vivid as a plasma screen television.
I had such an experience today…not about my knee or foot or hand…but about real life and real tragedy. As we were continuously bombarded by the media on this 5th year anniversary of the devastating 9/11 terrorists’ attacks on our country, the emotions and thoughts and feelings of that fateful day came flooding back over me as if the Hoover dam had burst. The wound was re-opened and I was reminded that, although our country may be stronger and more resolved than before, we are not as we once were. I again grieved for the loss of life and for the family members left behind. I was again relieved and grateful for the safety of my own family and grateful for those who fight on a daily basis to keep them safe and free.
But most of all, I was reminded again that God is sovereign and that He reigns supreme. I do not have to fear because God is in control. I am once again convicted by the words of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, “…the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:17b-18. I am more and more convinced that, although might does not make right, I am mightier with God on my side because He did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for all of us. Romans 8:31,32.
Thank You, God, for being my rock, my shield, my protector, my friend, and my redeemer. Thank You for being faithful and true, the only constant in the universe.
The older I get, the more I am convinced that God has given us the scars on our bodies to help us remember the wounds we have suffered – not to forget them. For instance, I am reminded daily of my repaired anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in my knee (an old “war” injury suffered during the greatest pastime on earth!). After my injury, the exceptionally skilled surgeon replaced the ACL with a portion of my patella tendon (the ligament that holds my knee-cap in place), and told me that it would probably be stronger than the original. Yet I still feel a twinge when the weather changes or I have to walk up and down the stairs. The minor discomfort (sometimes a dull pain) and the rather large scar on my knee reminds me daily that I am not whole as I once was, (leaning over my belly to see my knee also reminds me that I am not as I once was). Even the tiniest scar, like the one on my foot that I got when I cut myself on a piece of glass or the one on my hand when I learned that a hand saw is not for sawing my hand, projects a memory as clear and vivid as a plasma screen television.
I had such an experience today…not about my knee or foot or hand…but about real life and real tragedy. As we were continuously bombarded by the media on this 5th year anniversary of the devastating 9/11 terrorists’ attacks on our country, the emotions and thoughts and feelings of that fateful day came flooding back over me as if the Hoover dam had burst. The wound was re-opened and I was reminded that, although our country may be stronger and more resolved than before, we are not as we once were. I again grieved for the loss of life and for the family members left behind. I was again relieved and grateful for the safety of my own family and grateful for those who fight on a daily basis to keep them safe and free.
But most of all, I was reminded again that God is sovereign and that He reigns supreme. I do not have to fear because God is in control. I am once again convicted by the words of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, “…the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:17b-18. I am more and more convinced that, although might does not make right, I am mightier with God on my side because He did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for all of us. Romans 8:31,32.
Thank You, God, for being my rock, my shield, my protector, my friend, and my redeemer. Thank You for being faithful and true, the only constant in the universe.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
posted by Carl Wheeler at 10:00 PM
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