Wounded Healer

This post is from my friend, Father John's blog, it spoke a lot to me on my own journey as a widower, may it speak to you as well.

The morning routine begins with a cup of coffee, let the dog out, a quick glance over the headlines, let the dog in, and then off to get ready for another day – shower, dress, etc. As long as I keep the routine I can leave the house with relative confidence that everything is in order; however, if I brush my teeth before I comb my hair then there is a good chance I’ll forget to shave. I think it has something to do with not enough coffee. But, as I say, if the routine is followed, then I can walk out into the world and no one will be the wiser to the wounds and scars on my soul. I am a master of disguise and so are you.

Emotion is bad. Feelings are personal. Opinions and judgments are a dime a dozen, but when is the last time you opened up your soul and shared it with others? Truth is we all have wounds; some are fresh while others have healed. That great Roman Catholic Priest Henri Nouwen wrote, "Nobody escapes being wounded. We all are wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The main question is not ‘How can we hide our wounds?’ so we don't have to be embarrassed but ‘How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?’ When our wounds cease to be a source of shame and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers."

Our Lord Jesus did not hide his wounds. He held them out for Thomas and the entire world to see and it is through those same wounds that he healed us. He “brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.” (Book of Common Prayer, 367) Through his actions, Jesus has shown us how we too might take our wounds and also bring healing to a wounded world.

Therefore, if you are one of those disguised wounded, don’t be afraid to show your soul to a discreet and caring person. You are not alone in the struggles you encounter. However, if the Lord has healed your wounds then make yourself available to others who might benefit from the wisdom God has given you and become a wounded healer.

P.S. If you are wondering who might need God’s healing touch, then may I suggest the next person you see after reading this article.

Comments

[Goeffrey]

I once met Henri Nouwen. He gave a talk at Wesley Theological Seminary on his experience at L'Arc, and he signed a copy of one of his books to both my wife and me blessing our new marriage. I have met several prominent church folks - including Gustavo Gutierrez, who also blessed my marriage - but I shall always remember the real, honest humility and simplicity and earnest good-heartedness that Father Nouwen demonstrated in his entire life.