Devotions from Judy’s heart
Haven’t we all dreamed of a life of ease, where everything seems to just flow along smoothly? No computer problems, no deadlines to meet, no battles to fight…just peaceful sailing. Now even though it sounds wonderful, I wonder how our faith would fare? Would we get spiritually lazy and run simply on auto pilot? Perhaps. Even though we love good times, it is often in our times of wounding and brokenness that we seem to grow closer to the Lord and our faith deepens. I read what Anne Neilson had to write about our times of trials and the battles we have to face. She was building a new home over a 3 year period, and while it was being framed, she noticed that the 2 by 6 foot lumber all had ugly knots. When she complained to the builder he told her, “Anne, the more knots there are in the timber, the stronger the wood!” She let those words speak to her in the spiritual sense and visualized that when she went through trials, every victory was a mark on her heart that created a knot and brought strength. What a wonderful outlook. The more knots the stronger we can also become.While at the cabin, I also looked at the walls and ceiling that was full of knots and thanked the Lord they were marks of victory.
When building, after the framing, comes the dry wall that hides the knots just like Jesus covers all by His sacrifice for us on the cross.  Anne quotes from Psalm 147:3 (ESV), “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” He takes our pains and sorrows, bandages up our wounds, and brings healing to us. Scars are marks left by the tissue that is healed; just like Anne, our scars can be symbols of victory.  God often uses us to share our scars with others so that they also may turn to Him and receive healing. Even if we have had a rough start in life, parents that were far less than perfect, things done to us that caused big knots, the Lord can heal us and make us stronger. Let us give all our hurts to Him, let Him cover them with his love, and receive His deep healing.
Challenge for today: Be open to share a personal healing in your life when given the opportunity. 
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy