Mr. and Mrs. Hurtz* ignored their coffee. Our words were few. Their soul pain spilled out in hot embittered tears. A week’s worth of crying had left the why questions behind. They wanted to know one thing: what do we do now? My own welled eyes mourned with them the lost of a life never known.
This was not the first time I had consoled a broken heart; nor was it the last. Each time is different. The meager words change. The tone varies. The intensity of the interactions are unpredictable. One thing remains the same: I feel completely helpless. Humbly we come to the foot of the cross and bear the wounds before the one who bore it all. Humanity touches divinity and the scars form.
What about those scars? What about the pain that lingers like the smell of onions on your hands long after your eyes are dry from the stinging vapors of the cut? What do we do with detestable suffering?
Far be it from me to assume that I have all the answers. That is where you come in. We won’t get it all figured out. That is not the goal. I simply would like to delve into some thoughts surrounding suffering with you. Over the next few days here on ‘@ngie’ as well as in Spanish on ‘existencia compartida’ there will be themes launched. Read. Think. Comment as you like.
As it stands now I have five themes. Some come from teachings I have given in the past. Others come from past blog posts. Part of the content comes from discussions I have had both live and through email. I am hoping that this compilation will be a resource. I am thoroughly excited about expanding the concepts with the interaction that will take place here.
To finish the story I will quote Mrs. Hurtz*.
“Could you please pass me the thoughts about the purpose of our scars? I know that because of the church, you two as my pastors and the support of other friends I can say today that I am completely restored. Recently about seven other ladies who have been through what we went through have come to me. But they have been suffering for years. They are looking for help. I think I can help them.”
As I sat to write what started as six simple phrases turned into a five page thing. That is what you will find here. Welcome to the journey, I am glad we are walking together.
*Name changed, real story, real people.
Scars – Introduction
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Sometimes our scars are left as a reminder of God’s grace through those times and of how helpless we are without them.
I think, though, that a lot of times our scars aren’t for us. I think they’re for others who still have wounds. We can lift up our shirts and show them, “I had a really bad ‘owie’ like yours, but God healed it. See, I still have the scar!”
Beth, this is so true. To know that another person made it out alive may be the saving hope for someone who ha nothing left to hang on to.
I like that you mentioned lifting our shirts. At times the scars are not visible at first glance. It is good to allow others the closesness to see the imperfections that glorify God.
Thank you for sharing. I look forward to hearing more of what you have to say on the posts that will be coming over the next few days.
I think i heard in a sermon once that if you allow God to be in your pain, healing, you pain can become like one of the wells built in the old testament. so that those who come after us can have the water of the word, well, to help them through the trial of that place. I know i have had more than one opportunity to build a well in several instances but i believe i have (finally) left wells for others. God Bless, I love your msg already
Lora, thank you for this insight. I know for sure that the cuts of pain and offense run so deep sometimes that they feel as though a whole the size of a well has been ripped right through us.
If we take it one step further we might say that those wells are sources of living water. That the healing creates a spring that nurishes our soul and those around us.
Your thoughts are welcome here. Keep ‘em coming.
I agree with Beth, sometimes our scares are not for us alone. A lot of times our scares can show others with fresh wounds from the same thing that you can heal, you can get through it, you will be ok. I know personally many times in my life I could not understand why I had to go through some of the things I went though & hurt the way I did. Now, not only for myself but for so many others that have went though similar life experience I can show them you can turn out great, you can choose your outcome. I/We serve a great God & if we put our love & trust in him he will always carry us though.
Heather, I am glad that you added your thoughts here. I am also glad that you chose to get better instead of getting bitter. You are right, there are times we don’t understand. And we may never fully grasp the full concept. But we can trust that God will carry us through.
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I am glad you are part of this discussion.
Wow the purpose of our scars…you like the deep topics don’t you ;0)
I have lost a child and have felt the soul pain, the embittered tears.
At the time of our daughters death my initial prayer, or rather plea was one word the only word I could find. “Help”.
Through the sorrow, grief, sobbing, wailing, numbness God used our family to initially help us to come to terms with our loss and then slowly I was able to hear his still small voice. One that told me that all my tears were seen and counted that he had plans to prosper me and not to harm me and that I was assured that I would be re-united with my daughter again in heaven. Later I was given an opportunity to minister to another mother who had just gone through what I had gone throught six months previous, I was able to comprehend her loss and was able to minister to her in a unique way. I later realized that when we allow God access to our innermost thoughts and feelings, when we lay open the hidden places to him and allow him to work we are rewarded with personal growth, we are drawn closer to the our Father God and he eventually brings others into our lives who need some of what we received from the God of the universe. The journey is not easy, but the rewards of opening ourselves up insteading closing ourselves off is profoundly life changing and highly recommended!
Carin
Carin, I am so glad I know you. My heart swells to know that I have personally had the priviledge of hearing you speak about these things that are so dear to you face-to-face and heart-to-heart. I have learned so much from you.
Thank you for sharing part of your story here. It takes a great deal of courage to be unselfish about the truths you have grown into. I value your input.
Oooh this is so good I agree with the others. I think our scars do help us to empathize with others…but they can also bring us closer to our Father. Not that’s the purpose of the trials, but rather an outcome if we so choose to seek His comfort. Our scars also show us that 1. We are not in control but 2. He is…then the deciding factor is 3. I’m gonna chose to let Him be in total control!
Love this series already!
Livvy Lu, I love you. That control factor is a biggie for me, personally. Raised in the “faith circles” I let my ignorant logic lead me to the believe that suffering was avoidable. I know now that this is not fully true. There are times that we are brought into the glorious blessing of abundant life. Then there are times that the blessing is brought to us in soveriegn ways that we cannot comprehend but that we can accept. Thank you for you 1. 2. 3. What a great reminder.
I agree with Livvy Lu, if we choose to seek his comfort
Wow, I’m interested!
(I’m here at the library catching up on some blogs.
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