I have been humbled by your outpouring of love when I shared about my impending divorce. Your kind words & encouragement were balm to a battered soul.
Thank you.
In an email, I was asked kindly why I felt compelled to share...
that I could have been evasive regarding to the sudden disappearance of The Gunny,
the fact that the boys & I are moving into a new home, or the fact I will no longer have custody of my beloved Doberman, Sweet Caroline.
Without a doubt, I considered that path.
Considered shutting myself off from others.
Closing down my blog.
Quietly situating myself into a new life.
Letting everyone silently speculate...
I could have hidden my pain.
My embarrassment.
My heartache.
I could have continued the pattern of the Christian church.
Share the good.
Hide the hurt.
I could have.
But, I won't.
"Without your wounds where would your power be? It is your melancholy that makes your low voice tremble into the hearts of men and women. The very angels themselves cannot persuade the wretched and blundering children on earth as can one human being BROKEN on the wheels of living. In Love's service, only wounded soldiers can serve."
Thornton Wilder
"The Angel That Troubled The Water"
What if by sharing my pain I can bring the Healer to one?
Isn't my shame & embarrassment worth bringing Hope to one who is hopeless?
As a church, we have sat silent in our pews too long presenting perfectionism.
It is time take off the bandages and allow others to see those oozing, gaping wounds.
Divorce, Adultery, Infertility, Financial Loss, Lost Children, Depression...
the list goes on & on.
Our wounds are our power.
"Christians who remain in hiding continue to live a lie. We deny the reality of our sin. In a futile attempt to erase our past, we deprive the community of our healing gift. If we conceal our wounds out of fear and shame, our inner darkness can neither be illuminated nor become a light for others. We cling to our bad feelings and beat ourselves with the past when what we should do is let go. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, 'Guilt is an idol.' But, when we dare to live as forgiven men and women, we join wounded healers and draw close to Jesus."
Brennan Manning
Abba's Child
Henri Nouwen implies that The Wounded Healer's grace and healing are communicated through vulnerability of men and women who have been fractured and heartbroken by life.
So, I'm going to sit in that pew, my friends...
a wounded soldier with my wounds open & oozing,
so that perhaps one who is sitting there too or perhaps reading this silly little blog will know that there is healing & hope.
Presenting perfect lives does not draw others to the pews.
Raw honesty and real hope do.
Our wounds are our power.
