Ouch!

Thud....pause...wailing!

An inevitable part of every child’s history and a dreaded part of every parent’s experience.

Once initially comforted and acknowledged, the little one turns away from the suggested help of washing the wound and applying a bandage. No matter how much she trusts her dad, she is afraid it might hurt more to fix it up than to leave it alone.

At that moment, it would be easier for him to just let it go and avoid a bigger fuss. However, this wise and loving parent pushes through, knowing the wound cannot be allowed to fester. Infection is not in the child’s best interest.

How many of us have been deeply wounded by people we hold very dear? Biting words, harmful actions...the ache is real, even years later. Sometimes my instinct is to retreat into myself in an effort to shelter my heart. Unfortunately, this can also include turning away from the Healer.

But my most loving and most wise Parent cannot leave it be. I am so grateful that He relentlessly pursues, gently but insistently pushing at my barriers in an attempt to touch my brokenness.

I recognize that shattered hearts are much more serious than scraped knees. Just the same, I ask myself... When I am hurting, do I make myself available to the Lord, or do I walk the other way? Do I block God, and in the process, allow my heart to calcify? Or, do I allow Him access to my injury, trusting Him with the healing? The options sound simple, but so often, the choosing is so very difficult.

Lord, would you remind me that...

...hurt is inevitable.

...infection doesn’t have to be.