DAY 19 (Read Day 1 “OK, Honey. Challenge Accepted!” Post)

“He is definitely sucking his finger,” the dermatologist demanded as he rolled his eyes and wrote something in the chart.

“I am fully aware that you are the professional,” I begin.  Jaw tightened and eyes narrowed I continued, “however, for the 1000th time, I am telling you, my son has never…sucked…his fingers.”  A slammed door behind me, determination erupted to prove this quack wrong.

Three years prior at age 2, abrasive, concrete, pool wall vs. Sheldon’s finger. The wall won. Like all good moms, I nursed it with antibiotic cream, a Scooby Doo band aid and a healing kiss. Sadly, it wasn’t enough.

Hundreds of band aids secured, double the amount of kisses, multiple ointments, yet still, this finger would frequently crack open and bleed even after exhibiting clear signs of healing externally.

As it turned out, thanks to the knowledge of a concerned, investigative, credit that mom knows her child, Doctor, we uncovered the mystery behind the monotonous cycle of kiss the ouchy, apply cream, secure band aid, wound “healed” and a day or two later start all over when cracking reoccurred.

“An underlying infection is the culprit,” says the intelligent doctor willing to research.  “The ointments are only healing the surface, not penetrating deep enough to treat the source. The infection is re-emerging, cracking the healthy skin and causing it to split and bleed all over again. In other words, you’re treating the symptoms not the source.”

Personally, I am no stranger to emotional bruises, lacerations or contaminations from abrasive acts of others. Injuries so deep, hidden from awareness by fresh layers of protective coverings that get shredded when the pain demands attention, exposing itself as the poisoned bitterness that it is.

I avert, drown, eat, deny and even lie to alleviate tears, sorrow, sadness and shame all the while aware these only lend momentary and fabricated solace, delaying the necessity of suturing the piercing that longs to be whole.  All because I can’t, but He can, free the infection that runs to deep.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3