Today my family found itself in the waiting room of the hospital emergency department. As it turned out our son had broken his arm falling off the monkey bars in our backyard. He required an x-ray, and then a cast was put on his right arm. It was all quite overwhelming for him at the time, but he’s doing OK now after a lot of TLC.
Everyone in the waiting room had experienced some kind of pain that day. There was a young girl with her leg bandaged up, hopping from place to place looking glum. There was the 20-something guy who was wheeled through the hospital, wound gaping, after a bungee accident. Then there was the elderly gentleman who’d possibly had a fall. His forehead was grazed and he nursed a nasty gash on his forearm.
It was confronting to observe so many injuries in the one room.
It made me think about the injuries of the heart that often go unnoticed. What if ours were suddenly visible for all to see? How would people react? It’s hard to cover up a gaping flesh wound, but it’s easy to pretend the wounds of our heart aren’t there. And we do pretend, many of us… Maybe we don’t always want to deal with them. Maybe it’s easier to ignore them, and hope they go away. But these wounds are just as real, and just as needy of attention.
Lord, reveal those areas in us that need your loving touch and healing hands. I pray your love would shine into the darkness and shame and show up the scar tissue. Jesus – you alone are capable of softening the hardest heart and taking us on the difficult but worthwhile road to recovery. You alone are enough for us – the walking wounded. You are The Great Physician.
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (I Peter 5:10 ESV)
It's a God thing... 
Praying your sweet boy mends quickly! ❤
Thanks so much!
Hi Ali
Great insight!!! It is true that we don’t give much notice to the wounds of the heart and they are not to be ignored. Thanks for bringing that to light….
I pray a speedy recovery for your son.
Thanks Rolain! It’s easy to ignore the wounds, but there is great freedom to be had once we bring them into the light of the Saviour’s love… Thanks heaps for praying.
Great post, Ali; I will be praying for your son!
Thanks so much!! (by the way, I’ve been meaning to ask, what’s your first name? Or what would you prefer to be called? :-))
christrocks is fine. 🙂 My parents and I decided it would be best to stay anonymous for now. God bless!
OK cool, very sensible – just wanted to double check what you preferred. Thanks 🙂
That is so true. Everywhere we go, broken hearts are walking around desperately needing the Savior’s healing.
Thanks for dropping by Elizabeth 🙂 That’s for sure – so thankful for His power to heal all our wounds…
Ali you are always so insightful and I feel greatly encouraged whenever you write. You are so gifted! Praying for Jono’s recovery xx
Aw thanks Wendy for your lovely encouragement! Such kind words, and I’m so glad 🙂 xo
And thank you! He’s doing really well thankfully… certainly it’s slowed him down, but he’s handling it remarkably well so far 🙂
Oh, poor thing. Hope he gets better soon. Thanks for the reminder about the wounds of our heart…
Love,
Ange
Thanks Ange! And for dropping by my blog.
He’s coping quite well so far. Much more calm and composed than he normally is actually!
Hope you and the family are settling in well and sleeping OK.
Love and prayers,
Ali xoxo
I hope your son’s arm heals quickly. His reduced activity will probably drive him nuts. I like how you related physical injury to our injured hearts. Maybe we would pay attention to our emotional hurts if they actually bled.
Thanks Janna, we hope so too. I’ve never seen him so morose! But I’m sure he’ll appreciate all the things his arms can do when it’s off.
That’s true – sometimes out of sight is out of mind hey.
Prayers for your little guy for healing. What a day! My son broke his arm a few years ago after falling off the swing set so I know how that goes. Hope he gets better soon. Also, thank you for sharing that verse. Really needed to hear it today, it’s been a rough go lately. Great reminder of God’s faithfulness. Again, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Brian… Yes it’s not easy is it! Praying our loving God would continue to reveal himself to you as you seek his face this week.
God bless, Ali