Richard pulled a T-shirt over his head this morning. As he did, I couldn’t help but look at the pink scar angling down the center of his chest. Our littles are fascinated by it. They have decided such a grand scar needs a tattoo. Maybe a Unicorn horn or a sword.
As I look at his scars, I imagine the new ones I’ll soon have when I have a double mastectomy in the next few weeks.
Allowing each other to see our scars is an intimate gesture.
Jesus stood in front of Andrew, a man who loved Jesus like a brother. He invited Andrew to touch his scars and as he did, he held out his hands and his feet. He invited him to touch his side where a sword pierced him. As Andrew gazed at Jesus, I wonder if he noticed the scars that crisscrossed across Jesus’ brow from a wreath of thorns. I wonder if he asked him about the scars tangled on his back from a cat-of-nine-tails.
As I look at Richard’s scars and I imagine my new ones I want to remember Jesus’ scars because his scars tell story about our own. They represent:
- Healing
- Peace
- A covering that ushers you and I into the presence of God without boundaries or restrictions
I always want to be honest with you. This season of scarred sometimes feels like it’s gone on way too long. Yet I also want you to know that, because of past scars, I am also anticipating what new miracles will arise out of it.
I don’t know what scars you bear today, or what new wounds are trying to heal. Show them to Jesus today. Invite him into every last one of them. He understands those scars and what they represent. He knows the pain and suffering that brought you to those scars, but also the healing that they represent (or that is on the way).
If you need someone to pray with you, I’d love that. If you see someone’s scarred story here and you feel led to pray, I’d love that too.
For I’m scarred. Your scarred. His scars make them beautiful.
Praying for you today, my beautiful friend.
Suzie
Related Resource
On today’s More Than Small Talk #podcast Holley, Jennifer, and I share our scarred stories and what they have taught us about walking with Jesus. (Episode #52 — Scarred and Beautiful.)
Another great resource is my book, The Mended Heart: God’s Healing for Your Broken Places.
Thank you for sharing! It is encouraging seeing you endure the trials sharing the pain for His purpose. I feel thankful that you have invited us into your life. I feel hope about the scars I am facing today! Thank you!
Having recently been a caretaker of my husband who had tongue cancer and went through quite a surgery and recovery and then my Mom who had a brain tumor, I have seen the trying times they both have endured. BUT at the same time, I have seen God’s mercy every day in BIG and small ways. We have felt the prayers of the church and seen God’s GLORY. Prayers for you. May you see and feel God’s presence through it all.
Praying for you and your family.🙏
Thank You for this beautiful message, sharing and enduring your trials.
I know it’s not easy. I myself have scars from RT to LT due to my double mastectomy back in June 2017 it also reminds me of Jesus’ scars, that itself gives me peace, healing; resting in His arms knowing that He loves me, that his with me every moment of my day; that he will never leave me or forsaken me. Each and every morning I get up, I’m thankful for giving me life, mercy & grace and my family& friends like you. Thank You Jesus for “The beauty of battle scars”🙏.
Thank you Suzanne for an amazing message.💗🙏💗
Praying for you as you wait, during your surgery and healing. Thank you for sharing your life – God has used you in mighty ways to share His truth, love, hope and encouragement. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romand 15:13
Suzie, your transparent honest calls each one of us to come along side of you, for we feel you our pain. Scars are scary. And we’ve been scared facing the trials even as we trust Jesus. I pray His healing peace surrounds you.
Prayers for you and your upcoming surgery……prayers for healing! God bless you and your family!
Suzie,
Thank you for sharing… I’m 6 yrs A ‘Survivor‘… I found in my Bible just last night where I had noted a date in October 2013 Psalm 100 and then I wrote I note next to His Word that I was scared but I trusted in His faithfulness.. and recently I have had many devotions in His faithfulness… and He surely was, is and will always be our faithful, merciful, loving Father… I know you will see, feel, experience this from Him over and over again through your journey of healing and transformation❤️
Blessing, Love, and Sunshine
Thank you Suzie!
Thank you Suzie for sharing your life and challenges with us. I am lifting you, your husband and your family up to the Lord and ask for his swift and complete healing. You are an amazing role model!
Although, I am suffering from some debilitating pains that sometimes make it impossible for me to use my hands or literally unable to walk, I feel led to join you in prayers that the Good Lord will perfect all that concerns you. I offer it all to the Lord’s passion for all those who suffer any form of illness or infirmity, the world over. Amen.
I loved this.
I was just recently in a car accident and I was working on coming out of isolation right before it happened.
I’m still in shock and a lot of pain. I notice I try to cover up the pain and try to say to myself . . this could have been worse, but I think saying that all the time I ignore the fact how much it hurts.
This was something I needed to hear! Thanks
Father, Thank You for Suzie’s transparency and her trust in You. Empower Richard and Suzie to feel Your presence in their pains, their scars, their uncertainties and know that You are holding them in Your loving arms. Pour out Your peace that passes all understanding, and touch them both with Your healing touch. We praise You for how You are using their scars to glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
My scars are not physical .. just emotional …Scars from hurts caused by adult children making unwise life choices – constant worry … together with a life changing situation with the selling of our business resulting us in us not being able to move.. trusting God has this and trying to take one day at a time .. although the tears often fall … thank you Suzie as always for your honesty letting others know that sometimes life sucks and we can’t understand why these things happen and we the process goes on for
Longer than we would want and we are hurting but God is the God who can move mountains that we can’t see … and is with us holding our hand every step of the way
I have Neurophy & when I was diagnosed the pain level was intense. I’m a terrible patient because I don’t handle pain very well.
I turned to everyone & anyone who would listen to my pathetic moaning & wondered why I couldn’t get any help or sympathy
Over time my family & friends who I talked with became unavailable!
I know Jesus & why I forgot who he is & what is mine as his friend, I can’t imagine my lack faith & my not remembering.
He tells me he will never leave me or forsake me & when I heard his words in my heart I was able to relax & know I was not alone. It is amazing how the pain lessons just knowing someone is comforting you & IS RIGHT THERE WITH YOU