Scars

This week has brought about a lot of things.  We had a great team from CO here that really blessed everyone.  They were so encouraging and discerning.  I love when God uses people to pour into your life that you never saw coming.  I have been doing a devotional called Steams in the Desert.  It has been really good and perfect timing.  In one of the devotions, I read from Hebrews 12:12-13.  Lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees; and make straight the paths for your feet, lest that which is lame excuse turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.  It is important when we go through trials, that we let our body be healed and our faith strengthened.  Wounds heal, but many leave scars.  Where those scars are will never be the same but they also serve as a reminder of just how far we've come and just how powerful God is.  I've seen this happen over and over.  Recently, I felt it first hand and continue to struggle through the loss of such a young person, but I know God does strengthen us, he lifts our hands when we can't, and he stables our feeble knees.  We grieve here for ourselves and the sadness we feel but PRAISE God, in Christ we are promised eternity.  I do not understand how people, apart from Christ, deal with their scars.

Another way this has been a reminder for me this week is through a little 5 year old girl.  For those of you that followed my blog last year, Miley came by for a visit.  I have included pictures of her scars.  God healed her and her parents were faithful to keep bringing her.  We tried several different ways of treating her burns, but God chose to do so much slower than we really wanted.  His timing was perfect.  A lot of people formed good bonds and were able to pour into this family's lives.

Miley graduated kindergarten with an extremely high average, despite all of the school she missed seeking treatment for her burns.  It is probably the highest average I've ever seen.  This may not seem like a big accomplishment for most, but kindergarten graduation is a BIG deal here.  Many don't get to attend school and those that do must sacrifice much to be able to send their kids to school.  If they attend, many don't go on after kindergarten.  Miley has a great future ahead of her and I look forward to seeing what all God has in store for this strong willed, never back down, sassy, beautiful, full of joy blessing I've been able to form a friendship with.