Grown-up Band-aids

Dora the Explorer seems like a nice young lady; she is respectful of her elders and cares deeply about her friends.  There have even been a few times that she has shown kindness to her arch nemesis, Swiper, even though that little punk continues to try to steal from her every chance he gets. 

You think that I shouldn’t talk about Swiper that way?  He uses a mask and a pseudonym to strike fear in the hearts of Dora, Boots, and the children who follow their every move because he doesn’t have any friends and still lives with his parents.  His real name is Clarence Higginbotham III, he’s 37 years old, is a charter member of the Fur Club for Foxes, and he gets his kicks try to steal stuff from little girls and monkeys.  He really is a punk.

But Dora seems to handle Swiper’s antics (and everything else that comes her way) with a type of grace that belies her tender age.  She is an amazing, bilingual dynamo with a diverse group of friends and talents.  Which is great and all, but I still don’t want to use a band-aid with her picture on it.

This has happened to you before, right?  You give yourself a nasty little cut, go to the medicine cabinet (or underwear drawer, or underneath your mattress, or wherever else you keep your important items), grab the box of Band-aids, and then realize that the only ones you have feature a cartoon character with big eyes and a bright smile.  And you also realize that you are going to have to meet a new client, or go to a funeral, or possibly get abducted by aliens while wearing a band-aid featuring either Ballerina Barbie or Thomas the  Train or the kingpin of Sesame Street–Elmo.

This just doesn’t seem fair or right to me.  Why should kids get to have all of the fun?  Why aren’t there adult character Band-aids?  There definitely should be.  Who would some of the Band-aids feature?  Here are a few of my suggestions: 

1.  John Piper band-aids for cuts that you knew were going to happen.  Your wound is more glorified in you when it is most covered by him.  Or something like that. 

2.  Glenn Beck band-aids for cuts that make you cry for no real reason.  It doesn’t really hurt *sniffle sniffle*, but I love America.

3.  Joan Rivers band-aids for aggravating wounds that have been around for a looooong time. 

4.  Zach Galifianakis band-aids for oddly funny cuts beneath a thick, infrequently groomed beard. 

5.  Matthew McConaughey band-aids for cuts featured on shirtless torsos.  Alright, alright, alriiiiiight.

I have to admit that these probably won’t catch on.  First, they’re just not that good.  Second, the types of wounds that we should really be focusing on are of the type that are impossible to heal by using mere band-aids.

Broken hearts aren’t healed by band-aids.  The wounds of divorce require  more than something that can be bought at a store.  Deep cuts to the soul caused by hurtful words and hateful actions won’t heal themselves just by being covered up.

These issues do not require something more.

They require someone more.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

Jesus is the one who can take our brokenness and heal us completely.  He is the one who can bind up our wounds with his love and make something beautiful out of our mess.  With his arms open wide, he beckons us to come and find rest for our souls.

There are some things that band-aids can’t do, no matter whose picture is on them.  The things that are impossible with adhesives bandages are possible with God.

If your broken heart needs mending, go to Jesus.  He is waiting.

(What other adult character bandages would be awesome to have?  What needs to be healed in your life in or the life of someone  you love?  Share away!)