“I didn’t see that one coming.” “How could God let this happen?” “What now?”
Been there? I dare say, most have. We lose our job, our home, our love, our way. We struggle to get back up, dig out the gravel pitting our flesh, and continue on. But after that “one” we didn’t see coming, we’re never quite the same.
Scars remind us of painful experiences, even of lessons learned. But those scars are not who we are.
See the burned-out hollow in this tree? This oak is the inspiration for my recent novel. It lives in spite of its enormous wound.
“You’re not defined by your injuries,” says the heroine in The Rancher’s Second Chance. She is appalled that her neighbor sees himself only through his life-changing wounds from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. “We’re all crippled and short-sighted in some way,” she insists.
Both the main characters in my story bear gaping wounds—one physical, the other emotional. And both must decide if they trust God enough to let Him reach into those wounds and “make all things new.”
God is the great recycler of human wreckage, but we must allow His touch.
Christ gave us a second chance at Calvary but He didn’t stop there. He renews us by His Spirit every single day. His word refreshes us and gives us courage to get back up and keep going in spite of our handicaps.
It’s hard. We may look different. But battle scars and wounds are simply that—scars and wounds. Beautiful treasures beneath the scarred hand of our resurrected healer.
This post first appeared on the More to Life Magazine blog post on August 9, 2013.
Great reminder, Davalynn. Scars and wounds beneath his. I love that.
Thank you, Karla. Appreciate your stopping by.
Great post, Davalynn. We’ve all got our scars. It’s what we do with them that matters!
Thanks, Tom. I’m looking forward to your novel that appears to touch on the same topic.
This is so true but sometimes the scars and pain help build your character and strength th go forward. Each one can make you stronger yet humble. It is all in how much faith you have in God’s plan for you. Life isn’t always perfect but it is how you live it that shows the person that you truly are and the example for others. Believe me the last 6 weeks have been true samples of what the unexpected painful loses that can happen to a person or family.
You are right, Cindy. It’s all about how much faith we have in God’s plan for us. And He’s faithful to get us through those hurtful times. Thanks for sharing your heart.
Scars can be reminders, turning us away from more damage.
Absolutely, Karen. Priceless reminders.