Healing

OK. I'm back after a long hiatus. Not a planned one. Just one that happened.
Bob had a planned surgery at the end of October that ended up being more involved than we had anticipated, which translates to a longer recovery than we had anticipated, schedules that are thrown off, and energy spent in different ways than usual.
He is doing well now, but in the last 4 1/2 weeks I've had time to consider healing and was interested to find that spiritual and physical healing have many similarities. Whether the healing is the result of loss, wounds inflicted by others, or even the fallout of decisions you yourself have made, healing takes time and work. Here are some thoughts:

1) The process of healing involves significant pain.
2) There are moments, especially at the beginning of the journey, where you wonder and doubt you will ever feel well again. The road seems endless and the memories of previous wholeness fade quickly. You can't imagine ever feeling well again. It's tough to keep going at this point.
3) The love of friends and family is incredibly encouraging, motivating you to continue the work of healing. You are often unable to express this appreciation as they come alongside you to encourage you, but the truth remains. Their understanding and support save you from despair.
4) The friends and family of someone struggling to heal feel helpless and find it difficult to stand by and watch someone they love, hurt.
5) As the healing progresses, glimmers of wellness emerge, and you begin to hope again for the day you will be well.
6) For every glimmer of wellness, there is a set back, and the discouragement at those times is very real.
7) Moving ahead too quickly results in set backs as well. Slowly allowing the healing that is often unseen takes discipline and patience, not to mention trust in the Healer. Running ahead of His plan and timing often hurts more than helps.
8) Healing does come. Not nearly as quickly as we would like, but it comes. And not usually because of something we've actually done, but because of resting and trusting in the Hand of the Healer.
9) And then the day comes when we are whole and well again. The memory of the pain does not go away, but the realization of how far we've come humbles and moves us to thankfulness. The scars remain, pointing to where we've been, but also testifying to how far we've come.

I praise our Healer, Who loves us enough to allow us to go through the pain with Him in order to heal and grow. His patience and grace humble and move me as I consider how He draws us through these times.