When Your Heart Feels Scraped Open

when your heart feels scraped open

When I was in Kindergarten I remember being impressed with the fact that my knees were constantly scraped open. I laugh now thinking about how it was because of my inability to walk anywhere without tripping over myself. Regardless of how I achieved the look, I had scars on my knees until 5th grade.

My heart feels a lot like my kindergarten knees lately. I’m doing what I can to move through life, but seem to constantly stumble and gain a few more bumps and bruises before I get up and keep moving. I know that my wounds will heal and I may or may not be left with scars, but for now, they hurt.

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These heart wounds don’t always hurt; some days I forget they’re there. Some days feel normal: we eat meals, have play dates, fight over nap time, read books, run errands, and do other regular activities and chores. On those days, I remember that life can be boring and I quite like boring compared to the constant high stress of the last ten years or so. And then there are days like today: exhausting, stressful, and sad reminders that my heart has been scraped open like a young child’s knees. Every thought, movement, and activity renders the pain of loss, fresh once again, and I’m left counting down the minutes until the kids are in bed and I can attempt to process the hurt, find something to make me laugh, and manage to get to sleep a little bit early.

I don’t ever know what kind of day I’m going to have.

Grief is funny like that: you can have weeks of good days and feel like you’re finally past the worst of it, when something seemingly innocent trips you up like an invisible speed bump. There’s no way to prepare for the bad days other than to know that they are inevitable and they will inevitably pass as well.

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People remark regularly on my strength. Don’t be deceived: I don’t feel strong and haven’t chosen to be strong as much as I have chosen not to be destroyed by my circumstances. I’m not allowing life to happen at me. We each have the choice to either be wrecked by the bad things in life or to stand in spite of them. I am the protagonist in my own story and I know that the one who is writing my story has already written in a wonderful ending (even if the journey there is harrowing and difficult).

My story isn’t really about the scrapes and cuts and bruises anyways. My story is about the healing and the redemption of the hurt. It’s about being able to say, “See! The author was right! There is a good ending and I made it despite the challenges I had to face.”

I hope that my journey might encourage you in yours. We all have a challenge that we are facing: will you let the bruises and scrapes destroy you or merely slow you down?

Psalm 34.18

 


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14 Comments

  1. Lisa Malonry on May 23, 2015 at 6:08 am

    Becky thank you for your transparency. I know many including myself are encouraged and learning.

  2. Joanne McCoy on May 23, 2015 at 8:44 am

    Thanks, Bex. Couldn’t have put together the thoughts like this, but it’s an accurate description of life. I thought I would’ve stopped weeping by now, but it seems to come more often and always by surprise. Thankful for the way you put life into words in ways that help us all…spending parts of each day wandering the universe…and celebrating the love of our Savior.

  3. Kim Stirtan on May 23, 2015 at 11:57 am

    I am so thankful for the amazing choices you are making on this journey and for sharing them with us. I too am excited to see God’s work in your journey.
    Love you,
    Kim

  4. Emily on May 23, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    Well written! Praying for you <3

  5. One Mother to Another on May 24, 2015 at 9:10 am

    This is hauntingly beautiful. My friend Stephanie Finlay sent me to your site and I’m so glad she did. You are a gorgeous writer with, sadly, so many heartbreaking stories to tell. I’m honored to be a new follower. xo, Melissa

    • Becky M on May 24, 2015 at 9:20 am

      Thanks so much and welcome!

  6. Christy rummel on August 29, 2015 at 1:24 am

    I happened on your blog tonight through some other link. Wow. Those last 3 paragraphs in this post really hit me. Thank you for encouraging me in my journey. It is all about the author, it is about the process about His redemption. Thank you for sharing.

    • Becky M on August 31, 2015 at 6:14 pm

      Thanks for stopping by Christy!

  7. Aunt Peg on October 9, 2015 at 9:34 pm

    Wow……….wow again and………..wow,wow still. Not only am I touched by your posts here Becky, but I am also amazed at the responses you are receiving. You WRITE from your heart and it is clear that your faith continues to guide you through your days – sending you love and hoping you continue to share.

  8. Lauren on November 5, 2015 at 3:55 pm

    Thanks for your vulnerability. Asa friend of mine says, “For this we have Jesus.” May He comfort you on those rough days, mama. ❤️

  9. Mary on November 12, 2015 at 2:11 pm

    Such a sweet story, I love your posts!!

    • Becky McCoy on November 12, 2015 at 8:04 pm

      Thanks, Mary!

  10. Nan on November 13, 2015 at 2:18 am

    I needed to read these words in these early morning hours Thank you.

    • Becky McCoy on November 13, 2015 at 6:40 am

      Glad you found them and I hope you were encouraged!

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