Ouch and Aaah

We got up at 5:15 and were at the surgeon's at 6am. He removed the bulging disk distressing Melissa, our daughter-in-love, and dropped it into a jar for display.

Meanwhile, baby Kinsey, the two dogs, and I walked for an hour in the morning sunshine. Kinsey ate breakfast and had a few diaper changes before we went to get her mom.

"I can't believe it. The pressure is gone from my leg," Melissa said in the car. "My back will have to heal, but my leg doesn't hurt anymore." By 10am, we were home. Kinsey and Melissa both conked out for a nap while I watched an hour of Korean dramas.

It's amazing how a skilled surgeon will cut through healthy flesh to reach an area of damage. Melissa's skin will have to grow together and her muscles will be sore where the surgeon moved them out of the way to reach her spine. But the point of irritation itself? If all heals as expected, it's gone.

Sometimes, when Jesus touches us, the hurts are peripheral, seemingly unconnected to our prayers for his intervention. In order to reach our deepest brokenness, he sometimes sets aside healthy muscle and cuts into sound tissue. We cry in pain without realizing that we are already healing and being restored to wholeness.

Thanks be to God who heals us, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. His competence ensures that - regardless of how we feel - he will help and not break us. What are you willing to go through for holistic restoration?

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*His anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5

*God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 

*So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13   NIV

Moravian Prayer: Gracious God, we stand in awe before you. Your amazing grace is showered upon us, offering us salvation even when we’ve strayed. Help us to know your everlasting love through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.