The Healer’s Signature

By Stephanie

It was about this time of year, a few years ago when I went to see a doctor for some allergy problems. On the way out of the doctor’s office it was raining quite hard outside.

I decided to run really fast to my van, in super-flat plastic flip-flops… which became little water skis sliding me clear across the parking lot and almost directly under my van.

All in a moment I felt: wet, embarrassed (looking to see if anyone was watching), and PAIN. There was a bone sticking out of my wrist. And NAUSEA. I’m gonna be sick.

It was broken- my right arm (and yes I am right handed.) I had to wear a cast for 8 weeks (at that time Noah was 2 and Carter was just 1… both kids still in diapers!)

This was very inconvenient for a stay-at-home mom. But I managed. Couldn’t wait to get that cast off (showers with a plastic bread bag over your arm everyday are just not what they are cracked up to be.)

When the cast finally came off, my arm was still weak. It wasn’t like I could just use it like before. It felt funny and awkward. The skin was different and there was still healing time even after the cast was off.

I was reminded of this time as I think about our oldest son Noah and his battle with epilepsy. It’s been years now and he remains seizure-free. But a tender wound still remains in my heart.

Things still feel weird sometimes with Noah off the special diet that helped him become seizure-free. It was so strict and something we were so accustomed to for over 2 ½ years. At times it can feel uncomfortable being, well, normal.

Maybe my heart is still a little sore. I didn’t even realize that, at the time, that diet was a cast, protecting our hearts, our hopes, our Noah.

Good thing is, it only took a short while to use my arm again like old times. I hardly even think about it! I’d hope to say the same about Noah & his diet. I have a feeling it will be harder to forget, as this experience has challenged and shaped our being, in a very positive way.

Should we even try to forget? It’s a wonderful reminder of His faithfulness and promises, and that miracles still happen today. I shouldn’t suppress a story that might bring hope to one person and strengthen faith in another.

Perhaps it should be a battle scar to proudly bear… interestingly enough, a definition I found of the word ‘scar’ is: a mark left by the healing of an injury.

A scar is there to show that healing has taken place…

the Healer’s signature.

Portions of this post originally published on August 19, 2006.

Read more about Noah’s story here.

Stephanie also blogs at Adventures In Babywearing.

11 Responses to The Healer’s Signature
  1. Miche
    July 24, 2008 | 8:16 am

    That was beautifully written; and I think you should bear the scar proudly, as you seem to now 🙂 Your family has been through a lot and amazingly pulled together and got through everything-and now, most importantly, sharing your story, your scar, helps other families attempt the same. And helping others is truly the best work of God.

  2. Kristin
    July 24, 2008 | 9:16 am

    That’s a cool story, Steph. I agree, let your scars shine, you never know what they may do to help someone else.

  3. Tiffanie
    July 24, 2008 | 9:33 am

    It’s our scars that make us the most unique. In His perfect plan, our suffering is also our blessing. I definitely don’t think we should try to forget, even when it’s difficult to remember. Thanks for blessing the rest of us with your story and insight.

  4. Charles and Maxine Branthoover
    July 24, 2008 | 11:56 am

    We were referred to your story by the precious young lady who does our website. She knows how much faith we put into our heavenly Father, and today this story was something we needed to read…the point about the significance of scars.

    We have written in our ministry, about trusting God in all things even when we don’t understand. One article in particular is “God Why Did You Let This Happen?” I also remember some words from a movie I watched in which a woman was asking a man how he could believe God could allow certain things to happen. He explained it this way, “If my daughter and I were walking along a path and I was holding her hand, yet she tripped and fell, it wasn’t my fault she fell. But I am there to hold her and dry her tears and help heal the wounds.” This is much like God in our lives. He doesn’t cause these things. But they are gonna happen….but we know that He is there to pick us up, hold us close and heal the wounds.
    God bless you for your willingness to share.

    Maxine and Charles, “Flames of Love”

  5. Charles and Maxine Branthoover
    July 24, 2008 | 12:00 pm

    For a direct link to “God Why Did You Let This Happen?” http://flamesoflove.wordpress.com/2001/03/12/god-why-did-you-let-this-happen-to-me/

  6. Rhonda (Mimi)
    July 24, 2008 | 1:35 pm

    Beautifully written. His story has made an impact on so many. I loved reading the comments.

  7. Kelly
    July 25, 2008 | 12:49 am

    I once heard a wise woman say that wounds hurt. Scars don’t. I’ve thought about that many times as the Healer has worked to heal wounds in my own life. I pray that I will give Him room to make all my wounds scars that bear witness to His touch.

    Beautifully written, Stephanie.

  8. Lizz
    July 25, 2008 | 2:51 pm

    Oh, this post gave me a lot to think about. Beautiful.

  9. Tina
    July 25, 2008 | 4:38 pm

    I like my scars and I’ve got a lot of them. Expect to get a few more before it’s over. I think flawless perfection is over-rated.

  10. casual friday everyday
    July 28, 2008 | 8:24 pm

    “At times it can feel uncomfortable being, well, normal.”

    Oh how I hope to have that uncomfortable feeling with Nicky. And me for that matter. I hope to sit down to a plate of pizza and not worry that it’s going to overgrow our yeast problem again…or jack up my thyroid. I can only imagine how unreal it’ll feel when we’ve fully healed our bodies and can live normally.

    Nell

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