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9 years ago today I had much of my palate removed to remove the cancerous tumor. I now use an artificial, removable device called an obturator that helps me speak, drink and eat.

One of the blessings from having this invisible wound is the reminder that I am not alone. Everyone has some form of wound they are walking around with, some are visible and some are invisible. Whatever the wound, every person is worthy to be seen, heard and loved.

I share this today as a reminder that it’s okay to have our wounds, our stories. Yet may those stories never define us, but refine us. And may we not have shame about our wounds and may we even consider that the comfort we received from God in our healing is now something we get to pass along to comfort others who are wounded. As Henri Nouwen so beautifully said,

“When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.”

I share this on this cancersary to invite anyone with visible or invisible wounds to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we remember we don’t know everyone’s real story on the inside. Yet rather than meeting people on the surface, may we look to bridge hearts with others, with love. Whether we know each other’s story or not, it doesn’t change the fact that we can meet one another in love.

And for those in the healing process, give yourself the grace and space to heal. And for those who are healed and live with the visible or invisible wounds, may we allow God to use our stories to be a source of comfort, hope and healing to others.

With love and hope,
Shawn

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4