Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Scabs vs. Scars

     Last weekend I was reminded of the difference between scabs and scars.  I'm sure you are thinking, "I could care less."  Trust me, I think this may help anyone with kids, family or even friends.
     I guess I should go back to the time of the accident.  It was several months ago.  See God had a plan and Satan didn't like it and we, as a family, found ourselves in the middle of it.  Knowing that it was a spiritual battle helped, but, I'm sure you have been there, IT STILL HURT!  Our family has had to lean on God, trust Him, and pray like never before.  Recovery is always a hard road that sometimes comes with setbacks.  Just when you think that things are going good, SETBACK!!  I must confess that it is true:  the less you look at the wound the more you tend to forget about it.  Then, out of nowhere, you get bumped and all of a sudden you remember that you are still very sore, but you find yourself somewhat happy because you realize that YOU ARE HEALING!!
     It is so hard when you see the people you love get their scab knocked off.  You know how kids know better, but they still just can't resist picking at their scab even after you have repeatedly told them not to.  Well, it's the same with spiritual scabs.  Kids may not be talking about it but they still think about it which has the same affect as picking at a scab.  The more you pick at it (or think about it) the more it keeps the wound from healing.  I now understand that Satan is trying to do what he can to keep the scab from healing.  He is not picky.  He will use words, deeds, action, and thoughts.  You see, he knows that if we continue to clean the wound with prayer and wrap it in the word it WILL HEAL and all that will be left is a scar.  Most people don't like scars, but the great thing about them is that the area has COMPLETELY HEALED!!!!  When we look at the scar we instantly remember what happened.  We can even remember the pain that it caused.  Once you have got hurt you are even cautious when you get close to the same thing that caused you so much pain.  Sometimes people even ask about your scar and how it happened.  Can you believe that other people can learn from your pain?
       Have you ever been to the place when you think the scab is healing and just about ready to fall off all its own and suddenly you discover that it has been picked at (or thought about) just enough to keep it from healing.  As a parent you try not to bring it up because you don't want to be the one who keeps the thoughts alive and cause the healing to take longer.  Just because someone on the outside looks as if everything is OK, that doesn't mean that it is all OK.  That is what my children taught me last weekend.  They have tried to be brave, strong, and continue to go along as if nothing was wrong.  All the while, the scabs were just not healing.  I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit made a point to let them know that what was troubling them was important to Him.  Even though they had been able to hide the scabs from us, God knew it was time for them to heal so just a scar would be left.
     When it comes to children, they need all the love, support, and prayers that we can give them.  Today's youth has many scabs; some more visible than others.  I think the most effective way to help heal these scabs is to spend time interceding on their behalf.  The Holy Spirit will let you know when you can stop because the scab will have COMPLETELY HEALED and turned into a scar.
 
Investing in Eternity,
Jenny

Investing in Eternity,
Jenny