Everyday Ouchies

I’ve been percolating a thought recently that seems worthy of this space where we look to make Mom life stuff easier.  It’s a thought that’s been helpful as I navigate relationships and contemplate my missteps in said relationships.

So, consider this and tell me what you think in the comments.

Anywhere on your body at any time there may be a bump, a bruise, or a scratch. Might not be a big wound or anything, just something minor that happened in the course of daily life.

When you think about it, you can’t fully engage in life without getting some small mark on you.

Unless you pay someone to do everything, you’re bound to get hurt. That’s what engaging with the natural world does.

The good thing is that God designed the body to repair itself. With rest, nutrition, water, and care, most human bodies are able to heal from those bumps, bruises, and scrapes. In the instances where you could have avoided the injury, hopefully you learn something, too.

Life is a cycle of hurt, learn, repair.

Relationships, especially close ones, are the same. Since we are people who sin and make mistakes we will inevitably be hurt and hurt others. You can’t fully engage in the human world without doing so to some degree.

And honestly, it’s kinda funny that this surprises us!

Why are we surprised when someone speaks harshly, hurts our feelings, or breaks a trust? Or when we do that to another?

Unfortunately, that is the way of humanity.

Thankfully, God also gave us a way to heal, to learn and repair. It’s called repentance and reconciliation.

I have known these things for a long time, but had issue with its frequency. For some reason, I’ve operated on a one-and-done kind of cycle, and then was surprised when it happened again. And again.

Why do I keep getting bruised? Why does he? Or she?

There isn’t really a way to “systemate” the human condition, but it’s helpful to understand it.

I don’t need to be surprised when I wrong someone or they wrong me. Those are the bumps, bruises, and scratches of life.

And there is a way to heal.

(I am not saying that we can’t do more than bump or bruise; unfortunately the world is more violent than that, and serious harm is to be avoided at all costs. I’m talking about our everyday offenses. And I’m not saying it’s okay to hurt others.)

If I can understand the every day life ouchies a little more, accept them as a natural part of my condition, I can work to help the healing process for myself and for others.

Life is a cycle of repentance and repair, so let’s get good at it.