Have you ever been told to rest for weeks at a time? It is difficult, isn't it?
In this fast paced life we can barely comprehend "recouperation" and "rest". We get just barely enough sleep, sit only as long as it takes to eat a meal, perhaps we spend way too much time at the computer, but that is not restful. Even dozing on the couch in front of the TV is not really rest.
And so a doctor - or sometimes life itself - comes along and prescribes TIME.
What is that? You mean that slippery commodity we always lack, can't keep track of and mourn bitterly? TIME? You mean you want me to sit and do nothing? Lie down in my bed for hours and not feel guilt? Eat well? Drink plenty of fluids? REST?
This is not an easy perscription. Over the last few weeks I have felt as though I was going to have to tie myself down. And the times I ignored the orders and went out anyway, or walked that extra bit just because I could, or did that extra task because it didn't seem to matter much, my body let me know about it.
Bodies understand time, even if brains don't.
The other day, I decided it wouldn't hurt to load a few dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Well, that was so easy, I thought it wouldn't be too bad to just hand wash a few things that didn't fit. And after that, well, the sink needed cleaning. Looking at the clean sink, well, the counter just was out of place, so I cleaned it too. Then I turned around and saw that the stove and counters over there needed wiping too. Oh my, what have I done? I'm exhausted!!
There is no getting around it, you have one chance to heal and your body really won't let you do much about that fact.
The heart heals in much the same way. It can suffer injury or insult just the same. And we want it to heal quickly, to not bother us anymore with it's pain. Only to find ourselves suffering more when we ignore it's needs.
And what is the perscription for a healing heart?
Love, mostly. Perfect Love, found only in One place, in one Person. Because in Him is perfect nourishment, perfect peace, perfect rest. And we must spend TIME there, feeding off of His comfort and restoration. We must be patient and diligent to fill ourselves with His Word and surround ourselves with His Truth.
I know it to be true.
3 weeks? 6 weeks? 10 years?
Our bodies and our hearts heal at different paces, for sure, and surely, scars remain. But as we run our fingers over those rough spots, we can see how far we have come, understand that it hurts so much less today than it did before. We can be astonished at how quickly TIME has passed and how those wounds we thought would never heal are distant memories.
Are you healing? Take your TIME.
