Hey! It’s been a minute, so much has been going on that has kept me busy. I’ve been busy writing but as usual, I overthink things and decide my pieces are not coherent or worth sharing. I remain my own worst critic, God help me! I must remind myself that the purpose of my blog is to encourage others by sharing words to deepen faith and to encourage us all to hang in there. God’s not done with us yet!
But I’ve also been busy with other things, parenting teens
is no easy feat – muddling my way through that and just asking God to do what
only He does best! But really, I'm full of gratitude to God, GCSEs are on
the horizon, not sure why I am more stressed about it than the kids! I recently
adopted a little adorable rescue dog as well! I can say my whole free time has
been taken up by this bundle of joy. A whole story behind this dog but I’ll say
this - as soon as I saw her, something deep within me came up to the surface. I
looked into her eye (yes, sadly she’s got one eye as she lost the other before
I got her) and I knew her latter years will be greater than her former even if
I had no idea what her former life was like, but if it was comparing to her
days spent wandering around as a stray, then I was sure her best days were just ready for
her to step into. Again, a whole story but for another day! So that’s just a
little update on where my head and heart has been these past few months.
As I sat working this morning designing items for my shops and
thinking of Christmas 2025 and ideas of what to design, I remembered something
my pastor referenced during his sermon last Sunday – “Healed wounds can
become channels of grace” – Henri Nouwen
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“Henri Nouwen's teachings emphasise that healed wounds
can become channels of grace when individuals embrace their own suffering and
share it with others. He suggests that by acknowledging and accepting our
wounds, we can transform them into sources of strength and healing for others.
This concept is central to Nouwen's philosophy of ministry, where ministers are
seen as wounded healers who serve others in Jesus' name. By sharing in the
sufferings of Christ and others, ministers can become compassionate and
empathetic figures, offering comfort and support to those in need.” Live Your Wounds -
Henri Nouwen
Healed wounds commands the attention of others and it
carries a weight of authority that is needed for people to listen to what you have to say. A healed wound can turn out to become a shield or a weapon, both
used interchangeably and for different purposes and in different seasons. I am not referring
to the common saying of ‘hurt people hurt others’ and for the record I have
always despised that saying. A past traumatic experience can help you become a
protective shield for others and protect them from going through the same
experience. It can also become a weapon against the same devil who thought the
thing he sent your way to break and shame you would kill you, but instead, God
emerged and helped you turn it into a mighty weapon to crush the devil and all
his plans, and now your healed wound fuels your praise engine and you just can’t
keep silent so you are out there sharing your testimony and lives are being
changed for good. The thief, murderer and destroyer known as the devil is in perpetual shame
every single time you open your mouth. You weaponised your healed wound against
the kingdom of darkness. Praise God!
No matter what you are going through or may have gone
through, remember your shame and pain is for the Lord to carry, just give it
over to Him, only Jesus knows how to turn it to a channel of grace.
Here are some useful bible verses to strengthen yourselves
with:
- Isaiah 61:7 ESV - Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonour they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore, in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy.
- Romans 10:11 ESV - For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.”
- Romans 8:1 ESV - There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
- Psalm 69:6 ESV - Let not those who hope in You be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek You be brought to dishonour through me, O God of Israel.
- 1 Corinthians 1:27-30 ESV - But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
- 1 Peter 5:7 ESV - Casting all your anxieties on him, because He cares for you.
- Psalm 55:22 ESV - Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.
- Isaiah 43:2 ESV - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.