Yard work was the culprit. I came away with it embedded in the pad of my middle finger on my left hand. I didn’t realize it at the time. I only noticed it later in the day with the ache, swell and sharp pain. I could see the color and size, but it was buried. I needed to dig. I prepared my tools, the flame hot on the tip of the needle, the peroxide to clean, my glasses to see and light.
It was uncomfortably painful as I dug. After awhile I didn’t think I could extract it, but the pain was enough with it in my finger that I persevered. And then suddenly it popped free. The blood poured from the little spot. The splinter was so tiny and yet my finger, full of nerve endings, had felt it fully. And then, with a swipe of peroxide and a moment more, the pain, tenderness, hurt was completely gone. Gone. A trace of the spot remained. At first, I wondered if there was a bit of splinter left but I knew when I pressed on it and it was pain free that it was done.
This feels like an analogy with the experience of going through revelation and healing work with the Lord. Thinking about places in my heart that are painful and need your truth. Determining that the effort it takes is worth the result. And that was my prelude to the things God had in store. My heart needed His Freedom and Love to overcome the hurt from a probably unintended hurtful comment from one that matters to my heart. And so it began…
Bias Definition: Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.
“I wish you had a bias in favor of us!” I wrote responding to my thoughts about a comment made by another.
God (G) – It’s all nonsense. Anything that isn’t my truth is a lie or a distortion, so relax. Of course there is a bias. It’s ok to just relax and be slow. Listen. It’s ok. It’s not surprising. It doesn’t change anything.
Beth (B) – I try hard to showcase, justify, pump up, display and I am tired of it. So, I just want to let go.
G – I will (showcase, justify, pump up, display). It’s ok to just let go.
B – Ok Lord. I’m in.
Excerpt from An Encourager’s Heart