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.