Healing Occurred as God Would Have It…

The portion shared with me was large enough to feed a small family. As I opened the container I could see the meticulous preparation of diced celery and onions, sliced carrots, grilled chicken, and a broth atypical for any I’ve ever had before and yet incredibly delicious.

A day prior, the doctor said I simply had a virus- likely a common cold. But it felt anything but common. I canceled my upcoming flight and stayed home for an extra couple of days to rest. On this particular day, I had a perfect visit from my grand-baby and delightful daughter-in-law who brought me some chicken noodle soup. I heated it up a short time after they left and the warm broth seemed to send healing down into my whole body.

The generously shared dinner fed further contemplation regarding healing- a concept that has given me much thought lately… 

Growing up in a busy household with lots of kids produced lots of chores. One night after dinner, Mom told me it was my turn to take the garbage out. She let me know the can was likely already at the curb for collection scheduled the following day so I’d needed to take the bag down our long steep driveway, to the street.

I didn’t mind the chore-
It got me out of the messy kitchen where dish duty had begun. 
I was almost to the curb when I felt my sock getting wet. I assumed something overly gross from the bag had leaked out. 
I looked down at my sock and noted it was soaked with blood. I dropped the garbage bag, shrieked, and ran up the driveway back towards the house. 

Many many layers of stitches later with a ban on water activities and riding my bike for a few days- was the course indicated for “healing”…

Over 40 years later, I still have a four-inch scar on my leg-

Christ healed people. 
Story after story in the Bible speaks of the miracles of healing. 
I’ve thought much about it lately, pondering the question:
What does “healing” mean?

If we are healed through Christ…what can we expect?

Sometimes it’s physical, but I believe a degree of healing is ALWAYS accompanied by or can be solely represented as emotional, mental, spiritual, or intellectual improvement. 

Could it be that a physical injury is healed in ways other than restoration to what it once was?
This is where our Father in Heaven and Christ step in. 

Our personal perfection didn’t exist before injury, accident, illness, or struggle. 
As we seek healing through Christ, we can be changed-
Not restored to imperfection, but rather improved to who we are supposed to be in a more perfect, empathetic state. 

Healing with God’s perfect love and wisdom never seems to look like what life or limb once was. The improvement and healing is a more perfect version of who God needs us to be with greater wisdom, understanding of His ways, and more perfect love for His children who are also battling their way through injury, illness, or heartbreak- seen or unseen. 

Within a few weeks, my stitches in my leg just above my ankle were removed and according to the doctor I was “healed.”
I could return to normal activities and eventually could do so without pain or compromised function. 
But certainly- my leg is NOT completely restored to what it was prior to injury. 
The 4-inch scar is part of me today…and it’s not going anywhere in any of my earthly tomorrow’s. 

It represents an experience where healing occurred as God would have it and is ideal for me as His daughter. 

I have other scars that can’t be seen. 
The healing there parallels a similar learning curve -and I am grateful. 
With anything “taken” from me- so much more is gained. 

I’m grateful for healing- 
God’s timing-
And Godlike perspective gained-
All possible through the strength amplified through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

-JC

Pumpkin- Cinnamon Chip Stacked Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Make a batch of:
Cinnamon-Chip Cookie
½ cup soft butter
¼ cup sour cream
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ¾ cups+ 2 Tablespoons cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon 
¾ cup cinnamon chips

Cream butter, sour cream and sugar with an electric mixer on medium high for 1 minute or until fluffy. Hand stir in eggs and vanilla extract; don’t overmix. Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Add 1+ Tablespoons more flour for high elevation. Stir in cinnamon chips. Scoop out 24+ 1+” balls of dough.  

Place on parchment paper lined aluminum cookie sheets. Flatten slightly. Top each cookie with a slightly smaller scoop of Pumpkin Cookie batter.  Swirl to flatten a bit. Bake at 350 degrees for 13+ minutes. Let cool completely. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Let set. Share!

Make a batch of:
Pumpkin Cookies

3 Tablespoons soft butter
½ Tablespoon oil
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 egg
¾ cup pumpkin puree
1 cup + 3 Tablespoons flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cloves
¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Mix sugars with butter and oil on high speed for 60+ seconds. Stir in egg and pumpkin puree. Add dry ingredients all at once and stir until well combined. 

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces softened cream cheese
½ cup soft butter
1 Tablespoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons whipping cream
3+ cups powdered sugar
Dash of salt

Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla, whipping cream, powdered sugar, and salt. Mix until fluffy.