The imagery hit strong. All of a sudden, I was imagining a sunset, where blues and purples mix with yellows, all fading toward the coming night. A sunset of beauty accompanied by relaxing breaths on a seashore. A sunset can be gorgeous, breath-taking, and even awe-inspiring.
And yet, a smile emerges. A smile brought on, not because of the sunset, but because I was staring at a 3-inch bruise on my leg. A large, nasty, multi-colored bruise picked up at the corner of clumsiness and haste.
The colors in a refreshing sunset are the same as my bruise. Maybe, just maybe, God sees the same beauty in both. Maybe God wishes we would stop shying away from our bruises and instead, sit back, take a breath and observe. Maybe if we stopped trying to hide the bruises, we would see what God sees.
Where we roll our eyes at haste and clumsiness, God smiles at that moment when you handled the pain with grace and patience. When we try to hide the ugliness, God sees the attempt at doing something great–so what if it failed, so what if it hurt–you tried. You actually tried!
Maybe instead of hiding our bruises, or doing our best to avoid them, God longs for our souls to take leaps. To move hastily toward Him, despite the stubbed toes and the bruised knees. Maybe, just maybe, when we let our little-kid excitement combine with our big kid desire to know Him better, we will see that the bruises are not something to be avoided. They are something to sit back and appreciate–because sometimes truly living life means picking up a bruise here and there.
Just as a sunset seems more beautiful when shared with someone you love, maybe bruises are meant to be shared. Rather than covering them up, we bring them up, sharing the story of the hurt. These bruises, they can bring us together, admitting that life hurts, but also admitting that God was present, even in this. These bruises bridge distances between people–sharing stories of successes embedded in hurts.
And so I sit back, appreciating the colors of a sunset reflected in a bruise on my leg. And I smile–because God is funny like that.
By Jennifer, groundswell ministries
Leave a Comment
Amy says
Oh, Jennifer! How God wanted me to see your words today! I just wrote (on my blog) this morning…when I so much want to hide and run away. I am tempted to feel ashamed for my feelings, and yet He shows me that where I am now has deep, meaningful purpose. Your words touched me deeply this morning. Thank you.
jennifer says
Oh, Amy! Thank you for your kind words. I am so glad He shone through these words.
Beth Werner Lee says
Oh my. I was praying about a crushed heart just this morning.
The miracle of a bruise, that crushed capillaries pool blood and heal, that whatever it is clears up all the inner spilled blood at the right time, but before that the blood protects the healing area. Always God is faithful and the bruise itself is beautiful for healing.
I’ve always rubbed my bruises. My husband has asked, interested, “how did you ever get that bruise?” In a sort of child-interest gory way I love to watch a bruise change colors.
So your post, the beauty even of a broken heart is that it loved. It’s not over, the heart like the bruise can heal, can learn to love well. I asked for God to protect my heart, and now I see that even the bruising is protection.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. I John 3:16
jennifer says
Beth, thank you for sharing your heart–and the information about what actually makes up a bruise. I had no idea it was a protective layer; what a great testimony to God’s faithfulness that an injury is also protective.
Living the Balanced Life says
Loved this! An awesome analogy, and so true! Sunsets and bruises are meant to be shared. I love to share on my blog about the mistakes and failures I’ve had, that I am not perfect, but I get back up with His help and try again!
Thanks for sharing!
Bernice
Have you made mistakes?
jennifer says
Bernice, my pastor likes to say that one of the great things about Christianity is that we get back up. Sometimes it is not easy, but restoration is His to hand out and ours to accept.
Jean says
Love this post and retweeted it. I have had a tough day today and you lifted my spirit. Thank you.
jennifer says
Jean, I am happy God was able to use these thoughts to lift you up during a tough day.
Colleen says
This reminds me that I probably rarely see things the way God sees them. A simple bruise is a not-so-simple healing miracle before our very eyes. God leaves it there, plunked right down in front of our eyes – for days – in the same spot,- and still we still miss the miracle. Think of how many miracles we could see if we made God’s agenda our focus.
jennifer says
Amen to that!
Bobbi says
Jennifer, Thank you for your description of ouf lifes problems and spiritual hurts are like bruises we receive. I got terribly bruised yesterday. Thanyou for your sharing.
Anonymous says
Hang in there, Bobbi! Healing will come.
Carey Bailey says
LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing. With Joy, Carey
Sunsets to Be Enjoyed… | groundswell ministries says
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