Monday, May 4, 2015

"SPITTING STITCHES"


Yeah, you read that right.

Spitting stitches.

What on earth am I talking about?

The phrase "spitting stitches" refers to the concept that either permanent or absorbable sutures that are normally just under the skin poke through the skin and are palpable on the outside.

OK, yes, gross.

But, Marty (my granddog) knows all about it.

About six weeks ago, Marty developed a bump along his scarline.  Over the course of two weeks, it waxed and waned, until finally it got quite large and red.  Yup, off to the vet's again!

Turns out that Marty's body was having a reaction to one of his surgery sutures.  (You can read about his surgery here).  So, though the stitch didn't actually break through to the surface, it was causing all sorts of problems – which led to more money, two weeks of antibiotics, and another stint with the Cone of Shame.

Marty is fine.

And like the wonder dog that he is, he took all this in stride.

But the whole process got me thinking about how the body works.

Fine-tuned to survive, the body does all sorts of cool things.  And one of the things it does is fight off invaders that don't belong.  Like bacteria, viruses, and foreign objects.

Like errant stitches!

Dissolvable stitches are meant to dissolve.  (Well yes, duh).  But sometimes they don't.  And then the body takes over, and tries to repel them. Kinda like what happens when you get a sliver.  I remember once when a tiny piece of glass worked its way out of my foot a year after I had stepped on broken glass in my kitchen!

This process is called *rejection.*  

Our body's immune system is designed to seek and destroy any foreign object that it finds in our bodies.  Rejection occurs as the body's immune system responds to the invasive entity.  Without our conscious knowledge or voluntary direction, our body starts the processes necessary to protect itself and remove the offending object.

An inflammatory response occurs when tissues are injured.

Damaged cells release chemicals, causing swelling, and this helps isolate the foreign substance from further contact with body tissues.  The chemicals also attract white blood cells that "eat" germs and dead or damaged cells.


You might not be a medical person, but I find this fascinating.

And it provokes wondrous awe at how God created bodies to work (even doggy bodies!)


Now you know me, I'm always going to be looking for a *God lesson* – and here's what I'm thinking:


1) Our physical bodies are indeed "fearfully and wonderfully" made.  God, knowing the eventual ramifications of sin – that it would bring about disease, injury, pain – fashioned in-built defenses.  It's amazing to watch them at work.

"Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it." (Psalm 139:14, NLT)


2) In the same way that our physical bodies can be "invaded," our spiritual beings are also subject to assault from things like temptation and sin. And since we were originally created perfect, sin is truly a "foreign object."

"When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned." (Romans 5:12, NLT)


3) Now, when we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we also welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit.  And He's kinda like our spiritual immune system.  He works to seek and destroy sin in our lives.  He helps us to *reject* it!

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the…Spirit [desires] what is contrary to the flesh." 
(Galatians 5:16-17, NIV)


I'm glad to say that though Marty was "spitting mad" at some stitches a while back, he's doing fine now.

And once again, his life has reminded me of some spiritual truths.

Bodies are wonderfully made.

And God has created some incredibly effective defense mechanisms.  The immune system is a miracle, in my opinion.  Mysterious, effective, strong.

And, in the same way, the Holy Spirit provides spiritual defense against the marauding onslaughts of temptation and sin.  He, too, is mysterious, effective, and strong.  


My friends, we are cared for immensely.  Our Heavenly Father has blessed our bodies and our souls with some pretty amazing stuff!

And I am so grateful that He helps me reject the things that don't belong!!

Here's to *spitting sin*!!





It's all good. 



"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up." (Hebrews 12:1, NLT)

"...now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." (Colossians 3:8-10, NIV)

"That...is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:20-23, NIV)

"Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." 
(James 1:21, ESV)

"Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]." (Romans 12:2, AMP)

"'I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.'" (John 14:16-17, NASB)

"The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here.  So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living." (Romans 13:12, NLT)

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." 
(2 Corinthians 10:4, NIV)



Are you *spitting sin* out of your life?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SOLI DEO GLORIA, SMALL WONDER, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVALMONDAY'S MUSINGS, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAY, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, UNITE, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, MOTIVATE & REJUVENATE MONDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, TELL HIS STORY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAYCOFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WOMEN WITH INTENTION WEDNESDAYS, WISE WOMAN, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, BELOVED BREWS, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAYS, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, SHINETHOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, A GROUP LOOKFAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTHFELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, TGI SATURDAYS, DANCE WITH JESUS, SATURDAY SOIREE, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND BREW, RECOMMENDATION SATURDAY, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

40 comments:

  1. Great application Sharon. Reminds us that sometimes it is time to do some stitch spitting.

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  2. Great post, Sharon. And the doggie, adorable.

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  3. Hi Sharon! I love that thought that the Holy Spirit is a "Spiritual Immune System". Great image! I hope that I cooperate with the Spirit and toss out the sin and negativity in my life.
    You are such a tender mommy to your little guy! I'm glad he's doing well, and dealt with that cone so well. I hope I can be like that too. If I need some spiritual surgery, I want to be just as patient as Marty.
    Happy Monday!
    Ceil

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  4. Poor little triumphant Marty!

    Thanks Sharon for sharing God with Marty "spitting stitches" spiritual lessons and the advanced Science 101 (medical/biological perhaps) explanation {I get much more out of these lessons from you than I ever did in HS or even college} And with the wonderful images, comparisons or analogies to the Holy Spirit ("immunity") and stitches (sin, temptations) etc. I learned some really valuable stuff. Here's to "spitting out" more sin and the temptations that so easily beset us to falling sometimes unknowingly until we're caught in the web or spitting stitches.

    I was concerned about our dear Marty and you so I'm so glad that this all worked out and we are (humans and dogs) fearfully and wonderfully made! No more cone of shame (for Marty or us under the blood of Jesus and through His name, we are healed-Amen!)

    Many blessings and much love,
    Peggy
    (hey, I'm having a giveaway of Flash's book and I know that you don't do that but still come and visit, you don't have to enter but all your friend followers are welcome here
    http://mazmagi.blogspot.mx/2015/05/flash.html
    and each blog post this week from May 1-9th
    or directly https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2438b0551/
    I really need some entries please.

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  5. Poor Marty! But glad he made a complete recovery! I too am glad that God made our bodies that we do reject things that aren't good for it if we are allergic to it, etc.

    betty

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  6. Hi, Sharon!
    Who knew "rejection" could take on such a positive meaning? I think the human body is fascinating as well and sincerely appreciate your teaching on it, both physical and spiritual!!! Marty is so cute.

    Hugs,
    Mary

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  7. Marty is a lesson a week wonder! I so appreciate your soul seeking of God's word and lessons throughout your life. Wisdom comes from Him and can be found anywhere when He's the focus… Proof of that is Marty!

    Stellar post, sister. A learning moment with a smile. That's just my style!

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  8. Sharon,

    I always enjoy your posts and your creative photos! I loved the "selfie" last week. I love the idea of the Holy Spirit as our spiritual immune system. What a great illustration. Thanks for linking up at Mondays @ Soul Survival.

    Blessings,
    Donna

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  9. Oh, my word! That Marty! Such a cutie!!!! So thankful he is doing well and so grateful for your edifying words. Love you, dear friend! :)

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  10. Well, once again you have merged two seemingly unrelated topics into one that makes so much sense to me. ( and we have had dog stitches issues in the past) I'm a visual person, I like seeing the Holy Spirit work in that way. I'll be thinking about that one for awhile. And you know I love the photo of Marty!

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  11. Love the photo of Marty.....and the analogy of course! Sometimes when our bodies break down it is hard to remember how wonderfully made they are. Thanks for the reminder!

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  12. Glad to hear Marty is recovering and doing well. Makes me wonder if there is still something going on in that knee of my beloved Drake as it's still not fully back to normal. But for the more part he is doing fine so we are holding off on any more trips to the vet. :)

    Always love how you find a *God lesson* in all things.

    Much love to you, friend.

    Miss you.
    xoxo

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  13. I just wrote a big long comment and lost it. You've done it again my friend....dog stitches and the Holy Spirit...really? Well, of course...hidden sin has a way of making itself known...and it's quite uncomfortable! I love the way your mind works...you have such a gift Sharon :)

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  14. I like the idea that our bodies are at work without us even knowing it (like your foot dealing with that piece of glass) in much the same way we can trust the spirit to be at work in us without us necessarily knowing it. Thanks for linking with #SmallWonder :)

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  15. Our bodies are amazing how a splinter, a piece of glass, or a sliver of bone can travel and work its way out of our system. I can remember as a young girl something working its way out of my lip. Guess that was a spitting time. Our spirits do react to temptation and attacks from our enemy and with the aid of the Holy spirit there is put up a defense to flush sin out and keep us righteous before God. So glad Marty is fine and made it through his spitting time. Thanks for sharing your inspiring story with us here at Tell me a True Story.

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  16. Glad your sweet dog is healing! Love that photo of it's all good. :) Also so glad that we ARE indeed cared for immensely! No greater love than how we are loved. Sometimes it's almost too good to believe.... Thanks, Sharon.

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  17. The cone of rejection! I love that...it really made me "lol"...but in keeping with your revelation on rejection and how the Holy Spirit is in charge of our holy immune system, don't we often put that cone on our own heads? Even after the Lifter of our heads has taken it off...we put it on and walk around in shame. Great food for thought, Sharon. And your grand-dog is adorable!

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  18. Sharon - You truly have a gift! Thank you for sharing at Waiting on...Wednesday and I'm happy to hear that Marty is on the road to recovery! Have a wonderful day!

    Holly
    www.iwillservewhileiwait.blogspot.com

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  19. Sharon, visiting from Coffee for your Heart where we are neighbors. Great post! I love that Hebrews verse. We are all so blessed to have a great cloud of witnesses around us, aren't we? Next time I see my stitches scar from when I was a little girl, I am going to think of this post!

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  20. Hi, I'm blessed to be your neighbor at Women With Intention Wednesday... I love how spiritual lessons can be found through physical things. Thank you for sharing this insightful and thought provoking post! And I hope Marty is doing well! (poor thing with the cone of shame, heheh!)

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  21. I'm always amazed at physical and spiritual comparisons - there are many. Our bottoms are so intricately designed and the way everything works together amazes me. The same can certainly be said of our spiritual lives. Thanks for sharing at #ThreeWordWednesday.

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  22. Spitting sin. I always have a smile when I'm visiting you...a smile and a blessing. I was taught spitting was uncouth but I'm sure momma wasn't talking about the foreign object of sin.That's a good spit!

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  23. Found you via faithbarista. So glad to know your grand dog is doing well. I love how God so consistently shows us examples of things through nature and science and those we know. Wonderful lesson.

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  24. I am thankful for my Holy Spirit Defender. :)

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  25. I am so glad that I'm fearful and wonderfully made. God sure knows what he is doing !! Blessings. Visiting from Thoughtful Thursday.

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  26. Ah, another fun and creative analogy, Sharon. Thank you for this... And here's to hawking a big ol' gross wad of sin out of our lives!

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  27. have a really nice Thursday

    much love...

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  28. I love your post! I'm thankful for how God reveals Himself to us even through the lives of our pets - in things that don't seem supernatural at all.

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  29. This dog is definitely earning his keep. What a source of good, biblical teaching, Sharon! I may need to adopt "spitting sin" as a new mantra!

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  30. I believe you could make a good lesson out of anything Sharon! :) This was great. And Marty is adorable. We have a grand-dog too, an English Bulldog we call Eisley. She is getting ready to have some surgery on her knees and will not be able to run and jump all summer long :( I am trying my best to talk my son into waiting until winter for such a thing. In the meantime I will keep on spitting sin ♥

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  31. As always Sharon, you nail down a truth and leave us who read your post better for it. Thanks

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  32. Love your application, Sharon! Reminds me of a book where the authors said that we aren't designed to handle sin--either what we do or what's done to us. Sin has consequences and if it's not dealt with, it's a death to us. Gotta plug into His perfection and life! Love the image of the Holy Spirit pushing out the foreign bodies that try to destroy. Amen! Thank you, Sharon.

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  33. I love how you see the lesson in all things!

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  34. As a medical professional I can say your description of spitting stitches is spot on. 😷

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  35. Love this post, your sweet beagle, and the way you see God working in our lives in everyday events ❤️

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  36. Love the object lesson! Great analogy! Blessings to you from "Espressos of Faith" via #DanceWithJesus!

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  37. Loved the linked analogy. You bring me to want more of God. Cheering you on from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.

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  38. Sweet Marty! I'm so glad he's ok. I truly love your posts, Sharon. You always have the best analogies and bring up things that stay stuck in my brain for days and days (thank you for that).

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  39. Great post, Sharon! You are so insightful! Thanks for linking up at Women With Intention Wednesdays! I look forward to what you'll link up this week!

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  40. I've honestly *never* thought about this before! :) Great analogy! Thanks for sharing with us at Grace & Truth!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

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