Bruises of Life

It was finally summer, and I was ready to do the ritual again!

Clad in swimsuit, I retrieved the long-handled cleaning tool with the soapy pad attached, pulled out the hose with nozzle on “jet stream” and set up the aluminum ladder next to the house. Thanking the Lord for a nice hot day, I gingerly ascended to just below the top rung and pulled the trigger. A blast of water hit the top floor window, cascading down the siding with rivulets of dirty water. It felt good to wash the dirt and grime of winter off! That’s exactly what I need sometimes.

Maneuvering to balance the cleaning tool in one hand while draping the hose over the top of the ladder, I made large swipes up and down the window getting it good and soapy. Again, I rinsed the dirty lather off, but I needed to change my footing a bit to go up a little closer. Lifting my right foot, I immediately felt the ladder shift under my left foot pushing it out from the house and becoming off balance. Too late, I knew the terrible truth – I was going down! Funny how those things can go in slow motion and one’s thinking processes seem to slow down as well. I knew I was going to fall and wondered how bad it would be. The racket the ladder made hitting the deck and twisting under me scared me momentarily, then I fell on top of it, breaking my fall somewhat. Ouch! I felt the jab of a rung here and there on my ribcage, ankle, lower leg and thigh. But to my surprise with my husband's help I was able to get up and walk around afterwards without a broken bone! Thank God!

Ohhh, my relief was short-lived. Within a few hours, the various colors that appeared up and down my right side attested to the inward bruising that I had sustained. The fact that I could hardly stand or sit without groaning the following day caused me to realize the extent of my injury. It looked awful – I wouldn’t be able to wear a bathing suit for a few weeks, without questioning looks. I wouldn't do that to my husband! “They’ll think I beat you!” he said when he saw the black and blue marks.

It was easy enough to cover up! Sunday morning I washed and styled my hair, applied make-up, and donned white Capri’s with a cute top and jacket. Earrings and necklace; I was ready. No one saw the small dark bruise along the calf of my leg, or the nearly faded one on my ankle.

“You look pretty good!” an inward voice said. “No one would ever know what you’ve been through this week. Just smile!”

Wow, where did that come from?

“It’s true!” the voice continued. “Everyone that comes through those doors this morning will look pretty good; they’ll smile and do small talk. No one will see the hurts, bruises, and scars they carry; have carried for years, perhaps.”

I stopped with tears in my eyes and realized where that voice was coming from.

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me to be careful and gentle with people. I don’t know what they carry around with them – the scars and bruises that my eyes miss – but Yours do not! Help me be more sensitive, loving and kind – just like You are!