It’s interesting to me, the things you find yourself involved in. My husband works for a major life insurance company, and through their foundation, we became aware of our local Camp Fire chapter, and a grief camp for kids that they sponsor, called Camp El Tesoro de la Vida. We visited the camp last summer, and were blown away by what they were doing out there for kids who were walking the tough road of grieving the loss of a loved one. We wanted to become more involved, and one thing led to another, which brings me to tonight’s benefit dinner for which we are the chairs.

Yesterday, Kevin and I were talking about grieving. He lost his dad when he was a teenager, so he knows, first hand, what these kids are going through. He said that if something like this had been available to him, and his siblings, right at the beginning of that rocky road, things might’ve been easier – different – for all of them. Certainly, that’s one of the main reasons we’re involved. I, thankfully, have never lost a parent, spouse, or child, which I can’t even imagine, but I have lost grandparents to death. Really, though, there are so many different types of grief. I’ve lost a deep friendship over which I grieved as deeply as a death. I’ve struggled with grief over lost dreams for people I love. I know people who’ve grieved the loss of their marriage, children who’ve grieved the loss of their family unit and their security through their parents’ divorce, or those who’ve grieved the loss of their innocence and self-worth through abuse. The list is, sadly, endless.

There is a time, right at the beginning, and in the height of the pain, when the fresh wound needs to be cleaned and dressed. The dirt from the enemy’s lies needs to be removed, and the salve of the Truth applied, wrapping it all with the love and understanding of a Great Physician. If that doesn’t happen right then, the wound runs the risk of infection that can eventually affect the entire body, causing it to heal badly and leave the body disadvantaged for a lifetime, or until it ruins that life completely. Heart wounds need more than a Band-Aid, and yet we are a culture of walking-wounded, covered with flesh-colored strips that do little to cover our pain. We pass our wounds from generation to generation, like a crooked baton, leaving a legacy of brokenness in our wake. And you know what?

We don’t have to.

It’s not necessary.

There is a 24-7 grief camp open to all of us right now.

Some of my greatest heroes are those who have awakened one morning and said,

Today is the day this stops. For me. For my family.

While it’s harder to heal an old wound, it’s possible. You have to do some hard work, and there’s some pain involved to break back into it, and clean out old gunk and mess. It will likely leave a scar, as well, but that just serves to remind you of the miracle that’s been done when it’s really, truly healed. You can take that tired old Band-Aid off and get some attention that will actually move you past that grief to real recovery…real life.

It makes me smile to know that kids are being helped every year, right at the beginning of their loss, through the efforts of a bunch of caring people and professionals at a camp in central Texas. I’m proud to be a part of it. But more, I’m thankful to know that there is help at every juncture of our own pain if we will just camp at the feet of Christ. He has the inside scoop on wounds, because it’s by His, after all, that we’re healed.

“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 NLT

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 ESV

“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.” Psalm 30:11 NLT

“I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,” says the Lord.” Jeremiah 30:17 NLT

If you are in a place where you are ready to address your own wounds, click here for help in finding a Christian counselor in your area. You can do this!