Sitting in my car as my husband drove me home from the hospital after what was to be a simple carpal tunnel surgery, I glanced down at the large cast on my hand that ran up my arm to my elbow, wondering what on earth had happened.
Before surgery, I was told it was to be a small bandage and a few hours of recovery. That was what happened with my carpal tunnel surgery for my other hand 10 years ago. Staring out the window of the car, I was feeling sorry for myself and wondering how I was going be able to go away for a scheduled four day intensive writing retreat in just three days. Then, I remembered what the doctor told me – “if I get in there and I have to do to a bigger incision, I will need to do it.”
I signed off, trusting his professional expertise and praying for an easy ½” incision like my right hand had. Out of surgery, I remember hearing the medical staff murmuring and recall that I was repeatedly asking about the size of the incision.
The pain from my last surgery was simple and painless. As I recall, 20 minutes out of surgery I was back at work, speaking to birth mothers on the phone. No pain medication was needed and I healed without a scar.
It was at the moment I asked the Lord why I did I have to have this big ugly cross cut on my wrist, that the answer came back to me in a quiet gentle voice. “I also had to face a cross; you have a small reminder of the cross I faced, because of my love. It is to help you remember my love for you.”
I had an instant peace and also felt a silent embarrassment over worrying about a scar when I thought of the scars and pain the Lord suffered for me.
What reminders do you have of the love the Lord has for you?
Today, thank Him for his sacrifice and love.
Scripture for today:
Jesus took our place and was punished for all our sins when He died on that wooden cross.
…He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
…the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5-6
Mardie Caldwell, C.O.A.P., is nationally recognized as an expert on open adoption. A Certified Open Adoption Practitioner (C.O.A.P.), Caldwell is the founder of Lifetime Adoption Center, established in 1986. She has assisted in over 2,000 successful adoptions and was one of the first adoption professionals on the Internet.
Caldwell's life work is dedicated to educating and helping birth parents find the right adoptive parents for their child. She spreads the word about modern adoption through speaking appearances, webinars, online resources, and as a podcast show host.
She has written several award-winning books, including So I Was Thinking About Adoption, the first book of its kind. There are many reasons women choose adoption, and this short book is a comprehensive resource to make the best plan for you and your baby. Caldwell wrote So I Was Thinking About Adoption as a handy guide to the details of the adoption process.
Caldwell has made over 150 media appearances, including ABC News, CBS News, Larry King Live, CNN Headline News, NBC's The Today Show, CNN's The Campbell Brown Show, NBC News, KGO Newstalk Radio, CNN's Black in America II, MSNBC, Fox, PBS, BBC, and Dr. Laura.
