reminder

i woke up with a swollen lip a couple of weeks ago and spent the next several days visiting the closest urgent care, buying and taking prescription drugs, and fighting the embarrassment of looking like i had been punched in the face. (i was mostly concerned about looking credible in an upcoming presentation.)

i soon discovered that it was an abscess and eventually had to have it drained. not the most pleasant experience, but not unbearable either. and it was at that moment – walking out of the clinic, holding a large piece of gauze to my lip – that i remembered friends i had made around the world, who have been living with bumps, burns, swelling, scars and a whole host of other visible ailments for years.

i quickly realized how important it is for me to discard the temporary packaging that god had given his creation and to work that much harder at discovering the gift within. not only with others, but also with myself. a great reminder.