Heart Surgery

I wish I could simply place a bandaid
–or two or three or more–
over my heart 
and have it heal. 
Bandaids make boo-boos better 
. . . right? 
No. 
Bandaids don’t heal 
gaping wounds. 
Your heart needs stitches. 
But–
but it hurts more. 
It takes more time, 
looks worse. 
Surely–surely it’s not necessary. 
Bandaids don’t heal brokenness, 
won’t pull the Grand Canyon together 
and mend the crack. 
You’ll never heal 
if you don’t allow 
the Great Physician 
to conduct surgery. 
I know. 
I know what you need, 
what is best for you. 
Will you 
please 
let Me heal you? 

Yes, 
Jesus. 
I’ll lie on the operating table, 
with the bright light 
illuminating all 
and the sharp tools 
and gentle Hands 
probing 
every crack and bruise and bleeding sore, 
and I’ll close my eyes 
in trust and rest 
as You heal 
my 
failing 
heart. 

~Julie Hochstetler, Oct. and Nov. 2021