Debridement: the removal of damaged tissue or foreign objects from a wound. There are four types of debridement that can occur: surgical, biological, enzymatic, autolytic. While there are different methods, the idea is the same: remove the damage in order to foster growth of healthy tissue.

I like to say the basement debridement for our home remodeling has begun.

Actually it is a demolition but it feels like to me a debridement of a house wound.

One wall- cemented and dry lok (ed-verb?)

While the house is solid and firm (So says our contractor- repeatedly to reassure me, I think. Hope he is not protesting too much) there are some issues that need to be addressed: termites (Yikes! But they have been killed and treated.), some cracks in the foundation (good ole sealing hydraulic cement), old wood, wiring and leaky plumbing (removed and fixed). Almost all of the problems were not and could not be seen on inspection- tucked behind old walls and ceilings. Issues that, giving the previous owners the benefit of doubt, were unforeseen to them as well.

As our contractor began removing the old walls and ceiling and discovering the problem, it reminded me of treating infected wounds: remove the bandage, assess the problem, clean out the infection and then provide optimal healing with treatment and medication. Once conditions are optimal- the new cells form and skin looks good as new. It is amazing. Miraculous in fact that our body heals the way it does. However, if a wound remains untreated and infected, irreversible damage may occur- loss of limb, permanent bodily disfunction and even death.

Our home is undergoing the removal of conditions that over time would eventually harm it if left as is. If we did not do anything now, in a decade or so (maybe sooner?), we could see sagging floors, water damage, mold, mildew, to eventually a house collapse. Our contractor is providing optimal conditions (removing and repairing) in order to install new items (wiring, plumbing, walls) for practical usage of the space. Once he has gotten things “cleaned out”, we will be undertaking the fun project of designing what we want down there: our plan is a guest suite (bath, bedroom, sitting area) in addition to our work area.

I have been thinking about how our lives can be like that: we carry on for years, decades even with non-optimal conditions, many times completely unaware. We engage in physical, emotional, or spiritual behaviors that are working against the structure and foundation of our beings. We need to pull off the bandage (as it were), assess, debride, and engage in fostering renewal. We need to remove and clean out so that the basic foundation is solid and ready for new growth, new experiences, or new health.

Of course, we can think of the “diseased” conditions that definitely need debridement: drug, alcohol, or sex addictions. Conditions that will lead to death. But we may also need debridement in other areas. Just because we ate or drank the same things decades ago, doesn’t mean that they are good for us now. Similarly, activities that we once did may no longer be beneficial to us. Even spiritual practices need some reassessment: a new way to pray or a new look at Scriptures.

Jesus loved to give examples and stories in His teaching. Many times He used the agricultural culture in which He lived as an example. In John 15, He talks about the pruning of a plant to help in its growth. The vinedresser (the expert gardener in a vineyard) knows what parts of the vine to cut away so that good fruit is produced. Similarly, Jesus prunes us- removes the things which are sucking our growth- in order that we may spiritually grow healthy and strong.

But Jesus doesn’t just leave us as a hacked up plant (at least that is what my plants look like when I attempt to prune). He knows exactly what needs to be removed for our benefit. But He doesn’t just leave us there. He provides the nutrients and resources that we need. We only have to ask and to let Him.

In going forward, we only need to continue the relationship (abide with Him). Part of the relationship is allowing to be transformed by the renewal of our minds: to think on those things that are lovely, good, pure, true, and noble which help us build healthy “tissue”.

What about you? Undertaking any projects lately? For you home or self? Physical, emotional or spiritual? How did it begin? Do you have a “wound” that needs to be “debrided and cleaned”? Have you taken an assessment of life lately? Inspect behind the walls and ceilings? Do you need a life contractor or situational pruning?

Sometimes it takes someone else to help us assess what is going on in our lives. You might want to take some time to think about how life is going for you- do you feel anxious, tired, upset? Maybe talk to a trusted friend or family member. Below are different resources I found online that have different questions to ponder:

Spiritual Inventory:

Emotional Inventory:

https://abphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Emotional-Recovery-Inventory-Form-2014-PDF.pdf
http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/modules/module1/handout4.pdf (geared for students but could be applied to adults)

Physical Inventory:

https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-infographic
Visit your Primary Care Physician for a physical, get your annual screenings, dental check-ups: whatever that might have been delayed from Covid.

The thing about debridement, demolition and pruning- it produces a clean, new area in which to grow and build. Definitely worth the process.

With all the rain and warm temperatures that we have had this growing season, our hydrangeas and other bushes have just burgeoned. I realized that if I do not prune them back now, there might be a problem during the winter and into the spring. In the past when I missed the opportunity for fall pruning, I found that the first real snow or icy rain would bend and possible break the canes and branches. Preventive pruning and shaping are key to healthy plants.

It makes me think of the things in my life that I may need to prune: attitudes, time management, commitments, lifestyle choices. Not that we know or can predict the future but sometimes we do have an inkling of what is coming down the pike. It might be that there is a known change on the horizon- a new member of the household, new home, home renovation project, new job responsibilities, a move or new living situation with family members. For those situations, it might be necessary to prune back on commitments in order to be more flexible to whatever may arise.

In the upcoming months we will have numerous home renovation projects as well as I will have scheduled surgery. I have been preparing for the projects by getting much of the prep work done now because as it would happen, I will be on physical restrictions for the time when I would've been doing the prep work. I know that if I don't cut back with other activities I won't be prepared for what lies ahead.

I haven't ever had this specific combination of events before but I have had others that as things unfolded, I chastised myself for not working ahead and being more prepared. In most case, what I needed to do (in hindsight) would've been possible if I had only cut back on something or pruned out an attitude of laziness.

"If only", becomes my refrain:

"If only I had cleaned the fans before I put them away would it be much easier when I need to get them out on the first really hot day of spring."

"If only I hadn't been so prickly when she asked me a simple question we wouldn't be in this strained relationship."

"If only I had pruned back the hydrangeas then all these branches wouldn't have broken."

"If only I hadn't committed to teaching this class, we could've gone away."

"If only I had run more I would've been prepared for the 5K."

What about you? Have you ever had the "if only" mind discussions? Did you learn anything for the future about making choices, cutting back or pruning out activities or habits? Are you aware of any impending life changes? What can you do to prepare for them? Do you need to cut out certain activities before you can take on new ones?

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Wise words spoken by Benjamin Franklin. He may have been speaking about fire prevention but applies to so much more. (Fun fact- he was the one who invented the lightning rod but never sold it, just provided the instructions on making one so that all people would benefit.)