Jimbo's Jots

I looked at one of my clients from across the screen. He had called to let me know that his daughter was killed in a hit and run accident. I know he is hurting.

I sit across from another client, again on the phone, who recalls story after story of being abused by parents and other relatives. I know there are wounds never talked about until now.

A third client talks about having to raise two sons who had major health issues only to see them die after reaching late teen / early adult years. She talks about the hurt she feels even years after their deaths.

There is a lot of hurt in this world. Maybe as we’ve come out of the pandemic the awareness of our pain and hurt is heightened. Maybe, like some of my clients through the years, they have been there all along but just never talked about.

I have a scar on my arm. The scar is from when I was a teenager and washing a glass milk bottle. When I was growing up, we could pick up milk in glass bottles and return the bottles, which means the bottles had to be washed before we could return them. One day, I’m home cleaning the kitchen and while rinsing out a milk bottle, it exploded from the pressure inside the bottle. Glass shattered everywhere, including my arm. I had to get stitches. So on my right arm, there is a scar. It reminds me of the hurt experienced. But it also reminds me of the healing that took place.

In working with people who have experienced hurt, and not ever talking about it, I’m reminded of the scar on my arm. They experience the scar of the hurt, but have not yet experienced the healing. Maybe you are in a similar situation. Maybe there is some past hurt that needs some healing because you’ve just allowed the scar to just be there.

It’s not easy to deal with the hurts we feel. Healing the wounds of abuse, grief, depression, and anxiety can take a bit of time, especially if they have not been addressed before.

So, here I am! I’ll walk with you. I’ll pray with and over you. And let me remind you of one other thing: God is always near! Here is how I know:

“The Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:8, ESV)

God knows your hurts too! He’s promised to be with you in your times of hurting and healing.

So be blessed as you heal from your hurts! Be a blessing to others in their times of hurts!