10/30/2024
Scars
As I was traveling today for work my mind started to drift as the word Scars kept playing over in my head. Is it the emotional scars from combat or the things I have seen in my 32 years in the fire service? Was it the visible scars from injuries or was it simply the Holy Spirit telling me know matter what scars we bare we are all still children of God.
Throughout our lives we all will suffer the pains of injury, pain from others hurting us emotionally, and even the pains of getting older. No matter what pain we feel throughout life there is one and only one great healer, and that is Jesus Christ. Pushing in as our faith grows stronger the evil one will try to get us all off the narrow path that leads us all home. As our faith grows the enemy attacks will become greater. Some times this will make us question our walk and or faith. However, once again there is one answer for this as well Jesus Christ.
When a child falls and scraps their knee the cry out for their mom or dad. When you fall and scrap your knee who do you cry out to? Is it your spouse or do you simple yell out as the world does? Walking through this world alone and blind is what we have seen a lot of lately. Whether it is politics or what we are seeing on TV. What we feel our minds with will ultimately take over our lives. Which leads me to my next question, what do you fill your mind with? Is it what tv shows you watch or the music you listen to? Is it your personal habits? All of which will eventually come to the surface in your life.
Over the last 47 years of life I have let a lot of these things into my life because I was truly one of those walking through life blind to the evil in this world and I was living it as though it was normal. So many scars both on the inside and out. Some of those visible scars have many stories but the deep dark emotional scars are the ones that almost took me out a couple years ago. Hiding those scars as many of which were very embarrassing to show or even talk about.
The deeper I fell into the ways of the world the darker my life got. I let it affect my marriage, my family, and even my personal and professional friendships. Once it all came to a head I knew I had truly hit rock bottom. Just like that kid that cried out when they fell and scrapped their knee I cried out to Jesus to save me. I knew deep down inside that this was the one and only way I could change and truly get saved.
Once this step was taken there was no turning back. I know that I truly received all of Gods mercy right then and there. Since that day my marriage is the strongest it has ever been, my family is stronger than ever, and I have restored many friendships but the ones I have not restored are the ones that was not meant to be restored. I know that those friendships were very toxic to my life and would cause more damage if I let those friendships become restored. Some may think that I feel like I am better than them but that is not the case at all. I am living a better way of life with God front and center in it. I will still stumble and possibly fall from time to time but I know that when I cry out for help I will be lifted back up.
Many that knew me before I went through some struggles know that I was not very pleasant to be around and was pretty grumpy most of the time. When I truly surrendered my life to him the weight of the world was lifted off of me and I could for the first time in my life enjoy each and every minute of it. Yes, I do cut up a lot around the firehouse and even with my brothers in Christ but it is all in fun and never meant to hurt anyone in any way. I do take my positions in the firehouses very seriously because if I don’t do my job right not everyone gets to come home. However, as I am getting older I have started to loosen up a bit on the rookies but they all know what my expectations are.
This by no means is me beating you with the Bible it is just me sharing my journey from where I started and where I am today. I have no problems being transparent with any of you all or even sharing my story with any of you. I do from time to time let out a little bit of my journey but at no point will I ever post my whole story on here. I know that each one of you have your own stories and many of you can connect with bits and pieces of my story as well.
I think the more we are transparent with one another and share things with each other the stronger our bonds become. I am a constant work in progress and will be till I take my last breath and head to my heavenly home but if any one of you ever wonder how to find a better way of life I am here to help you in any way I can. Often times it requires giving up things that we all have grown to love or even cutting people out of your life. Are you willing to give it all up to pick up and bare your cross? Let me just tell you there is no greater feeling in the world until you do.
I commented on a post today about stepping out in faith being one of the hardest things to do but the rewards are very much worth taking that step. So with that being said what is your next step going to be? One of faith or one of the world.
I will leave you with some simple lyrics from a great song that sums up a lot.
I don’t have to be perfect to get inside the door
I don’t have to be perfect to be loved
If it’s true that my wounds are what the healer’s looking for
Then it’s a good thing I’ve got more than enough
Hallelujah, there’s a place for me
In the company of sinners saved by grace
Here among the broken on their knees
Hallelujah, thank you Jesus
There’s a place for me
I hope each of you all got something from this tonight. I do love to write and share my thoughts with you all and I hope you all enjoy the time I spend writing these posts. I will tell you though often times these post do take a lot out of me but I know when I am given a word it is what I am to share. I how you all have a great night and an even more blessed tomorrow.
