Bang

Friday, June 9

Bang  

If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath. Psalm 34:18

On a summer afternoon, amidst the backdrop of the apartment complex we called home during my early childhood years, I found myself engrossed in a lively game of catch with some friends. As fate would have it, a friend began to pursue me in a playful chase, igniting a surge of adrenaline within me. In my fervor to evade being ‘it’, I instinctively turned my gaze backward to assess the distance between us. However, in that split second of looking back, an unforeseen collision abruptly halted my progress. My forehead met the unyielding force of a light pole with an emphatic “bang!” To this day, a noticeable scar adorns the center of my forehead as a lasting reminder of that unforgettable incident. My scar represents broken skin, but my scar also showcases healing.

Scars are an intrinsic part of the human experience. While mine may be physical, yours might manifest in different ways. Perhaps it stems from the repetitive words a parent uttered during your formative years, or perhaps it’s the unspoken words that left a lasting impact. It could be the betrayal of a trusted friend, a broken promise from a spouse, a shattered dream due to an unforeseen accident, or even a bewildering misunderstanding among friends. The nature of scars is diverse and multifaceted—unexpected, unimaginable, and at times, unspeakable.

Regardless of when the hurt occurred, whether it was yesterday or a decade ago, its sting persists. It’s natural to shy away from revisiting the source of that pain, yet it has left an indelible mark that cannot be erased. Unpredictably, it resurfaces, defying your attempts to suppress it, reminding you of a sense of incompleteness. These scars act as triggers, resurrecting memories of traumatic experiences we fervently wish to forget. Society often portrays scars as unattractive, compelling us to seek ways to alter, minimize, or conceal them. However, even with countless applications of Mederma cream, they never completely fade.

It is through the divine grace of God that true healing and restoration occur. Only God has the power to mend the broken, to bring forth healing in the deepest recesses of our being. While scars may remain visible, they need not define our sense of wholeness. Through the restorative work of God, we find solace and strength, embracing the journey toward healing, acceptance, and inner transformation.

It is in this place where God finds you and offers His healing comfort. As today’s scripture so beautifully puts it, God finds you in that place of brokenness and provides His eternal healing.

Prayer for today: Lord God, thank You for reminding us through Your word that You will catch us when we fall. I praise You always.  Amen.