Monday, June 15, 2020
Sharon Orr
Heal
This honestly has become one my favorite words. H E A L. For me, this word carries so much power, so much comfort, so much peace. It is a word that I use and share often, especially with my children. It took me a long time to understand that to heal, I had to do some legwork. A few years ago, St. John’s had a sticker that said, “FAITH IS A VERB”. It is an action word. It is a daily action. It is a second by second action. I feel the same about HEAL. “HEAL IS A VERB”. No matter what happens in my life, if I am going to heal, I must take some action to work towards serenity.
Five years ago, my children and I experienced such turmoil and heartache in our lives that I had no idea how we were to heal. From illness, to injury, to trauma, and ending with the passing of their father on the 25th of June, we were broken, lost. Our normal was shattered and we had to find a “new” normal. I had no idea how to do this, but I did know that I had to get out of the way and let God guide me. I knew I had to participate in my own healing process; I had to act. I showed up every Sunday to church (whether I wanted to or not 😊) because I knew for those two hours, I would be ok. I went to everything that the Church offered so I could help myself heal. I also knew to get from point A to point Z, God would carry me. I often refer to one of my most beloved poems, Footprints:
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him, and he questioned the Lord about it. “Lord, You said that once I decided to follow you, You’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.” The Lord replied, “My son. My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
I know without a doubt, that God has carried my children and I these past few years and I know that our journey to HEAL is ongoing, but we will be guided with God’s help.