While reading your story I can’t help think about “who” may question your faith or anyone’s else’s because of the appearance of being “broken”. I have experienced “spiritual abuse” when you don’t agree with what is being told as the “law” of God by someone who is considered a “leader” in the word of God because you feel it’s being twisted. I think you are heroic to allow these young people to pray over you. I find it even more heroic to turn it into a teaching moment! Which has lead me to think about what God speaks about in healing. I am by no means an expert on healing, God or faith. But I do believe that what God speaks of as “He will heal the broken hearted ” is real. And just maybe that’s all that He does? Heal the heart? I have experienced that if the heart is “Full” of love then everything trickles down into an almost perfect world. And just maybe it’s just that simple? Heal the heart and everything is fixed? Which is huge! Such a big space! It’s also what everyone has. Maybe that’s what God is speaking about with one’s faith. With a good heart we all might be in a better place? He also speaks about being perfectly made. You were perfectly made to graciously show and help us learn to look beyond the appearance of being “broken” and to look into a deeper part of you, which is your heart, wisdom and love for others. And for a moment I think about my heart and the things I should faithfully pray for and change. Because I have the appearance of not being broken. Thank you for you!
I can’t imagine all those surgeries as a kid. What a life you’ve had. I assume you don’t have a prosthesis. Hence the extra shoes. Love reading everything you write and paint.
While reading your story I can’t help think about “who” may question your faith or anyone’s else’s because of the appearance of being “broken”. I have experienced “spiritual abuse” when you don’t agree with what is being told as the “law” of God by someone who is considered a “leader” in the word of God because you feel it’s being twisted. I think you are heroic to allow these young people to pray over you. I find it even more heroic to turn it into a teaching moment! Which has lead me to think about what God speaks about in healing. I am by no means an expert on healing, God or faith. But I do believe that what God speaks of as “He will heal the broken hearted ” is real. And just maybe that’s all that He does? Heal the heart? I have experienced that if the heart is “Full” of love then everything trickles down into an almost perfect world. And just maybe it’s just that simple? Heal the heart and everything is fixed? Which is huge! Such a big space! It’s also what everyone has. Maybe that’s what God is speaking about with one’s faith. With a good heart we all might be in a better place? He also speaks about being perfectly made. You were perfectly made to graciously show and help us learn to look beyond the appearance of being “broken” and to look into a deeper part of you, which is your heart, wisdom and love for others. And for a moment I think about my heart and the things I should faithfully pray for and change. Because I have the appearance of not being broken. Thank you for you!
Bernadette, thank you for your encouragement. And for you being you!
Thank you, Michele, for this eloquent reflection. Your deep and generous analysis is like a drink of cool pure water.
Molly, thank you! I'm so happy it resonated!
I can’t imagine all those surgeries as a kid. What a life you’ve had. I assume you don’t have a prosthesis. Hence the extra shoes. Love reading everything you write and paint.
Michele, THANK you! No- I don't have a hip on that side either so a prosthesis never worked out. We did try but I could go 2x as fast on crutches. 😆