From the time I was 18 until I was about 22, I worked at Chick Fil A. Yes, I’ve seen “behind the curtain” and yes, I still love Chick Fil A. But one night, I had a minor accident that left me scarred. It all happened while I was working the fry station scooping waffle fries into their boxes. It was an extremely busy time and another crew member was helping me by dropping the uncooked fries into the fryer and moving the freshly cooked fries into the holding bin.

There came a point where the holding bin got was running low and I needed more fries quickly. So, I turned to look and see the status of the next batch just as he was moving a fresh basket right out of the oil. That basket made contact with my forearm and blistered immediately. It took everything I had not to scream out in pain. I quickly applied burn cream, wrapped the wound, and moved to another station to finish out my shift. Eventually the burning stopped and everything seemed fine.

The next day, I was back to work and as it so happened, back on fries. I headed to my position scooped my first order of fries into their box and reached out to set them into the delivery shoot. In the process, the wound on my burnt arm passed under the heat lamp. Searing pain shot through my arm and caused me to drop the fries and back away quickly. I realized that while my wound had stopped hurting, it was no where near healed.

For the next few shifts, I was avoided positions where I was near that level of heat. I spent more time working in the front of house areas like registers or at the drive through. Eventually, I was able to return to normal work without experiencing pain. Even still, there was a scar that served as a constant reminder of the incident.

It took years for that scar to go away and even longer for me to forget about the incident all together¹. But, even still, when a similar or related story comes up, I can quickly recall the details of this one. However, that story is now a tool that I can use to support others as they experience their stories.

It turns out, life and deep fryers have something in common: unexpected burns. It is in this unexpected intersection that I am reminded of the story of Ruth and Naomi found in the book of Ruth. In this biblical account, Naomi faced deep losses and extreme pain, far greater than what I encountered at that fry station. Both stories have taught me critical lessons about resilience, recovery, and the choices we make in the face of pain.

If you’re not familiar with the story, it follows the journey of Naomi, a Hebrew woman who, along with her husband and two sons, migrates to the land of Moab to escape famine in Bethlehem². Tragically, Naomi loses her husband and sons, leaving her a widow in this foreign land. At a loss for what to do, she decides to return to Bethlehem and encourages her Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to stay in their homeland. However, Ruth’s steadfast devotion prompts her to accompany Naomi back to Bethlehem and eventually, their story begins to change.

So, how do we respond when we get burned?

Assess the Damage and Get care quickly:

In the heat of the moment at the fry station, I found myself facing more than just the rush of a busy night. The unexpected burn on my forearm demanded immediate attention. Just as I swiftly applied burn cream and sought care to address the wound, Naomi encountered her own moment of urgent assessment.

Ruth 1:20-21 (NIV): “‘Don’t call me Naomi,’ she told them. ‘Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.’”

Naomi, having faced this crushing loss, didn’t shy away from acknowledging the damage life had dealt her. In renaming herself Mara, meaning bitter, she articulated the depth of her pain. Psalm 30:2, says, ‘Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.’ In the same way as this psalmist, we have to acknowledge our hurts if we’re going to get healing.

It’s not just about putting a bandage on the surface; it’s about going deeper to understand the extent of the damage. This scripture encourages us to call to the Lord for help. It’s a reminder that seeking care is an act of wisdom and faith, not of weakness. Healing always begins with a clear assessment of the situation and a prayerful reaching out for His help.

Make Necessary Adjustments to Get Through the Day:

Sometimes, the best thing we can do is step away from the place where the wound happened. After my burn, I had to make adjustments. I had to step away from the heat for a while. In the same way, sometimes life demands immediate changes to cope with unexpected challenges. There is a similar moment in the story of Naomi and Ruth’s journey.

Ruth 1:6 (NIV): ‘When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.’

Naomi, having faced significant loss, recognized the need for a change in her circumstances as she grappled with the challenges life presented. In the face of adversity, she decided to leave Moab and return to Bethlehem. This journey back to Bethlehem was the adjustment they needed to change the direction of their story.

Life’s unexpected burns may demand alterations in our plans, routines, or even relationships. Just as I adapted to a different role at Chick Fil A, sometimes we need to pivot, make necessary adjustments, and find new ways to navigate the challenges we encounter. Making these adjustments can lessen the pain of the moment and give us the space we need to begin healing.

Pursue True Healing, Not Simply Pain Management:

In the aftermath of my burn, applying burn cream and wrapping the wound provided quick relief from the immediate pain. However, I soon realized that true healing required more than a surface-level remedy. Ruth’s story shows the same to be true, not only in the context of physical injuries but also when our pain is emotional and stems from life’s hardships.

Ruth 1:16-17 (NIV): “But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.’”

Ruth’s commitment to Naomi reflects a deep understanding of her need for genuine healing in the face of loss. Instead of opting for a temporary fix, Ruth chose a path of enduring companionship and support, a journey toward true healing.

In our own lives, it can be easy to settle for quick fixes that provide momentary relief, whether it’s avoiding the pain or numbing it temporarily. But just as Ruth’s dedication went beyond immediate solutions, we too must embrace a comprehensive healing process. This involves addressing the root causes of our pain, seeking support from our community, and allowing ourselves the necessary time and care for authentic restoration.

Choosing true healing over mere pain management requires courage and a commitment to the journey. It may require difficult conversations, building new habits, or seeking professional help. Genuine restoration takes time but is worth the investment for lasting health.

Expect Some Scarring:

Even after the burning sensation completely subsided and I returned to “business as usual,” I still had a scar³. For years this scar was a lasting reminder of that painful incident. Life’s wounds often leave lingering marks. While these scars may not cause ongoing pain, they remind us that complete healing is a gradual process.

In Ruth and Naomi’s story, their journey toward complete healing unfolds over years of hard work, gleaning barley fields, and navigating through scarcity. Through all of that, they must have recognized that God’s hand was upon them and that they were moving forward, but their current situation was still not in line with what they hoped for their lives. The losses they had experienced wouldn’t simply go away. They would likely carry some of that grief forever. But this journey would ultimately lead them to complete restoration.

In the same way, life’s scars, whether emotional or physical, often linger beyond the immediate pain. They act as tangible reminders of the journey traveled and indicate that additional healing may be needed. These scars prompt us to be aware of our past and recognize that genuine healing extends beyond the momentary relief. While the scar on my forearm eventually faded, for years, it served as a constant companion—a visual reminder of a wound not yet completely erased.

Being aware of our scars allows us to acknowledge the healing that has taken place while we continue moving forward toward that complete restoration. Much like Naomi and Ruth forging a path toward restoration, our scars become milestones, celebrating progress while acknowledging the path ahead.

Use Your Pain to Encourage Others:

My waffle fry story reminds was a painful experience. Even still, there’s a tinge of phantom pain when I think about it or share it. However, it also serves as a reminder that our moments of pain can be some of our greatest opportunities to serve others. They’re not just our personal lore but opportunities to connect with others navigating similar journeys. These stories of pain become tools for empathy and support allowing us to stand alongside others in their struggles. Naomi models this in her story.

Ruth 4:14-15 (NIV): “The women said to Naomi: ‘Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.’”

The women around Naomi recognized the redemptive power present in her journey. Ruth, through her loyalty and love, becomes a symbol of hope and renewal. Our own pains, whether visible or hidden, carry a similar potential for and uplifting others.

By using our pain to help others overcome theirs, we contribute to a collective narrative of strength, resilience, and the possibility of restoration. Just as Naomi found redemption through Ruth’s love, our narratives serve as beacons of hope for those grappling with their pains. They become shared moments of empowerment and connection, reinforcing the idea that, when given to God, our pains can inspire and uplift others on their journeys.

What Does it All Mean?

In the end, whether it’s a second degree burn or challenges the size of Ruth and Naomi’s, life’s unexpected difficulties always have the ability to teach us valuable lessons about resilience and the choices we make when faced with pain. Just like our physical scars, every moment of pain we experience carries a powerful story. Each of these stories has the power to inspire and uplift others on similar journeys.

As we navigate our individual paths, it’s essential to recognize that complete healing is a gradual process, and the scars we carry, both visible and hidden, are not just reminders of our struggles but opportunities to extend a lifeline to those in need. Ruth and Naomi’s story is a perfect example of this bringing life to those who hear it generations later.

So, how do you respond when life delivers unexpected burns? Do you see your pain as a source of strength and connection? Can you envision your scars becoming tools for empathy and support, contributing to the healing and restoration of others? As we embrace our own healing journeys, let’s never overlook the impact our stories can have on others, turning moments of pain into shared moments of empowerment and connection. And let’s use those stories to show the love of Jesus and the healing, freedom, and joy that comes from a life lived in relationship with Him.

Notes:

¹ Of course, I’ll never completely forget it as evidenced by the fact that I can still recount it now in great detail.

² So, Bethlehem literally means, “House of bread.” Just a fun fact. There was no bread in the house of bread.

³ I wish I had photos of this scar. It was like a Chik Fil A brand. The shape of the basket left a thick line across the top and thin crosshatching below. It was as if I was the first and only member of the #frenchfryforce.