Trash Becomes Treasure

“Without your wounds where would your power be? One broken human being ministering to another can bring more healing to this world than an angel who has never known pain, fear, betrayal or addiction.” Abba’s Child by Brennon Manning.

In the last few months, the Lord brought a precious friend into my life that helped heal one of the great unanswered questions I’ve had for the last 24 years. Many questions haunted my heart like whispering shadows, but this one was the nagging, whining child that got much of my scattered attention. “Why did my ex do what he did over and over knowing it was ripping his family apart?”

This email from my friend addressed that whiney child’s cry. “You ask after 24 years why can't he come clean and move into the light. The easy answer is he doesn't want to. THE REAL REASON GOES MUCH DEEPER. If he keeps the secret, control becomes his lifeline. He has wounded everyone who loved and/or trusted him, he has lived a life as a hypocrite, the shame and guilt are like a noose around his neck. The more he struggles, the tighter it gets till he just gives in and it becomes a self coping pattern that he has had for a long time.” Then he encased the truth in a nutshell. ”The heart of David wanted to obey God and did, but he and his family suffered the consequences of his sin.”

As I read this, the last vestige of hurt melted in the wake of this visual. It struck a deep cord of slumbering compassion buried in self-pity, offense and pain. I’ve heard it said, “Hurting people hurt people.” There is my answer. How many times do we demonize others because of pain inflicted by a wounded soul with a self-administered noose around their neck?

I proclaim myself guilty.

This precious, self-acknowledged, surrendered addict helped me see the broken humanity through my addicted ex’s eyes. What a gift! My hardened hurt melted and became pliable empathy in the Master’s hand. Compassion shaped itself into a beautiful crown of forgiveness completing a healing that started years ago.

And it took another addict to show me.

Not a self-help book…

Not a therapy session…

Not a well-orated sermon…

Not even Oprah...

…but another broken human being who has wrestled with God, the author of Truth, surrendered to Him, and who now walks with a beautiful limp.

Who am I to judge another’s brokenness as stinking refuse? Brokenness, surrendered in the Master’s hand during a spiritual wrestling match, is life and healing to other broken souls. As my new friend says, “God used my garbage and made it my gift.”

Do you know what happens when we take our garbage and put it at the foot of the Cross and light it on fire?

The remaining ashes become the main ingredient in our new-found anointing.