There is no living soul without a sore.
We all have itch that makes us scratch
And scratch so bad sometimes it hurts.
We scratch so bad it turns to sores.
Some itches are so deeply dear, fiercely
Private, tucked beneath fancy wears
But some are there, hailing every eye:
I don’t want every eye on my sore
I don’t want everyone in on my itch
I don’t even want an itch at all
Yet such is life and itches abound:
Teach me O Lord to scratch with care
To turn my sores to You, the Healer.

Food For Thought: Dressed up and out there, we all appear like we have no care in the world, until we get home or to work. Then issues that our trendy dressings, smart phones and admirable poses can’t contain begin to rear their ugly heads; issues with spouses, children, immediate and extended family members; issues with bosses, colleagues and clients; issues with finances, experiences and attitude; issues even where they are least expected. Some of them we may be able to ignore, for a while, but every itch demands to be scratched. I have learned that the problem is not with the itch but with how we scratch them. My mum would say you don’t scratch based on the dictates of the itch or you will end up with wounds and scars, especially in sensitive places where you truly don’t need wounds and scars. How do you scratch an itch? With care. Scratch every itch with care and caution. Scratch with wisdom and grace. May God help us to scratch accordingly; just enough: not too much and not too little. And may God grant relief for those itches that must be scratched and spare us from unnecessary wounds and scars.

Scripture: “For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,” says the Lord, “Because they called you an outcast saying: ‘This is Zion; no one seeks her.’ ” Jeremiah 30: 17.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I turn every itch and every sore into Your expert hands: heal me O God and I will be healed, amen.