Band Aids

With a 4 yr old in the house, band-aids are very important and are everywhere. Every bump bruise, cut and scrape is magically healed once a band-aid is applied. Ice doesn't matter, kisses from mommy don't matter, healing balm doesn't matter, the shrieking wail of an ouchie can be healed instantly only with band-aids.

After 4 kids I have learned the utter importance of these tiny, sticky things. Sure, these things become slightly annoying when they are peeled off 5 minutes after the injury and stuck to the floor... or the wall..... or the chair. But they served their purpose and they served it well- to end the tears and sadness.

Once when my son was little, getting ready to turn 4, my dad called to ask some ideas for a birthday present. I rattled off the standard things my boy liked: cars, dinosaurs, Buzz Lightyear, and ended the list with Band-aids.

The birthday party came and when my son opened his gift from his grandpa- guess what was inside? Yup, several boxes of band-aids! My little guy was thrilled, and had their been a prize for strangest gift ever, my dad would have won that prize.

This memory gets brought up quiet a bit in our home, since band-aids are a normal part of our daily routine still. We all laugh, and it's a good memory.

I also can't help but to relate this to my daily walk now. As an adult, I'm not as daring as a child. I'm not out getting scrapes, bumps or bruises physically (If I can help it!) My soul and spirit however get wounded everyday. A harsh word. Something doesn't happen as I wish it had. Mommy guilt. One of my children making bad choices and disappointing me. An unexpected tragedy. Yes, bumps and bruises, cuts and scrapes happen every single day. Some are much worse than others. Some feel like they slice right through to the heart. Others hurt for a moment, but will be forgotten as quickly as they came.

All of them need something more than a little band-aid. I don't know about you, but I have lots of places to draw out my band-aids for my wounded heart. Starbucks, shopping, a little glass of wine, a hot bath, friends, to name a few. None of these things are bad in themselves. The danger lies in my relying on them to heal my wound. I need to look beyond what makes me feel better in the moment, and trust God and His word to seep in and heal. God's healing is powerful and forever. He's calling out to me, reaching out to me, desiring to do more than place a sticky thing to cover my wound. The first step in the healing power of God? Rejoicing in all circumstances.

1 Peter 4:12-13 says "Don't be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering.. but rejoice."

If we are able to rejoice in all our wounds, we are fully trusting God to heal them. Philippians 4:7 promises " a peace that passes all understanding."

God calls us to his healing power. The Bible is full of God's amazing healing. As I sit hurting today, sad over a death that I had no power over, I am leaning on the healing power of my God- not a silly band-aid.

Lord my God I called to you for help and you healed me. Psalm 30:2

Heal me O Lord and I will be healed, save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise- Jeremiah 17:14