Burned Finger

Well, I decided to post my burned finger story here vs. on Facebook because people have to seek out pics here vs being forced to look at them on FB. And many friends have wanted to hear...and yes, SEE the progress of the burn.

So, if you are squeamish, leave now...

What I can say I have gained from this experience is true empathy for burn victims. My little burn is so insignificant in comparison to many who have had much more extensive burns, yet my one finger has caused a lot of pain...and today, on day 10, it continues to hurt. Today, I worry a lot about spreading infection as I now have pain moving up my hand beyond the actual wound.

Here's the story...

On Sunday, March 24, the start of C & R's 2-week spring break and the last day I'd get to spend with them for 11 days, R requested that I make caramel popcorn as a special treat. I do it the old-fashioned way...I boil it on the stove top. I acquiesced, but I wanted her to watch so she could learn how to make it--not that I would ever let her work with boiling caramel yet, but so she'd know what went into it.

It was all complete when I used my left (or weaker) hand to hold the pan and my right hand to stir the caramel sauce as I poured it on the popcorn. Well, after a couple minutes of this, my weaker left hand was struggling to keep the pan upright, so I tried to adjust my grip as week bit. In the process, my left middle finger touched the side of the pan and burned the finger. This caused me to jump and...yep, pour the boiling caramel on my right hand/finger.

I thank God that not 30 seconds before this happened, I had asked Rachel to scoot back as the hot sauce could burn her badly if I spilled it.

Well, the rest is history as they say...here is my 10-day progress in pictures:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3, 4 and 5--went to Dr.--2nd degree burns and infected. Got antibiotic.

Day 5-post bandage

Day 6--looking lots better, I thought

Day 7

Lost an entire layer of skin on day 9...
Day 10--swollen again and getting red (infected??) further up my hand, even away from the wound.

Survivor

I am a Survivor fan (actually, I enjoy most reality competition shows). I've watched Survivor every season since it started 26 seasons ago! Spoiler alert...if you're a fan and haven't watched last night's episode, stop reading. If you saw it or don't care, please continue.

All day, well on and off all day, I have thought about Brandon's meltdown. I was so mad at him last night, and I continued to slander him in my mind today. How could a guy who:

1. Had the opportunity of a lifetime, blow it through stupidity?
2. Had such a hard time on the first show come back and blow his second chance, not learning any lessons from the first time?
3. Claims to be a born-again Christian use such awful language and totally lose his cool, hurting the whole tribe in the process of his rant? What kind of testimony is that!?

So, this was my thought pattern for about 22 hours. Then, I was driving home from work, thinking about it again. I asked God why I was consumed with Survivor and Brandon in such a way. In that still small voice of His, I believe He said, "Because I have some lessons for you to learn from this, Susan."

Lessons from Survivor:

• God continually gives us second (and third and fourth...) chances when we make stupid choices. In His incredible grace, He forgives us and remembers no more.
• How many times have I read about the stupid Israelites in the desert and been frustrated at their lack of faith after God proved Himself faithful time and time again? Too many, I'm afraid.
• What do the words I say, the things I do say about me and my relationship to Christ? Is my testimony one that is a shining light or hummm, do people wonder if I am a believer or not? What about my actions behind closed doors? Am I showing my kids Jesus through my love, patience, goodness, faith, faithfulness, etc...?

That's it. I'm going to pray for Brandon. He is a real person. I'm not naive enough to know that there is drama, some acting, some creative editing, etc..., but those people that I peek in on each week are real people...real people who walk with Jesus, need Him, need His grace and forgiveness and need people to love them. I worry for Brandon's future. I'm going to pray for him.

Next post: Hopefully will not be coming in 8 months, but I am thinking about nursery rhymes and rocks...stay tuned.