SCARS

The other day, Allie and I had a deep discussion in the car. (We often have our DEEPEST talks while she’s strapped in with no chance of escape!)

She was asking about scars. She’d been picking at a scab on her knee, and I was (for the one millionth time) telling her to STOP!

“It’ll leave a scar!” I always say.

“Like the one here?” she asked, pointing to her left eye. She has one, just under her eyebrow where, several years ago, she ran into one of the boys’ snowboards. Though tiny, it remains — a reminder of the incident.

Nodding, I said, “Yep, that’s a scar for sure. You’ll probably always have it.”

I paused briefly, and then continued —

“Every scar has a story.”

“A story?” she asked with thoughtful consideration. “Tell me again the story about how I got THIS scar.”

So I did — reminding her how she’d been running (galloping, more like it) through the house and ran — SMACK! — into the snowboard that had been laid on its side to be waxed. The sharp metal edge sliced right through.

Allie listened intently. I concluded, “Yep, like I said — every scar has a story. When you grow up, your son or daughter may one day ask you, ‘Momma, how did you get that scar right there near your eye?’ And you can tell them the story.”

That was days ago…

… but I’m left thinking…

Although this conversation was meant for little ears, its truth has been ringing in this Big-Girl’s, as well — and hitting home… in my heart.

I, too, need this reminder.

After all, it’s redemptive to take a good, hard look again at both the physical, as well as the emotional scars that I carry. But to not just stop there. Rather, to remember the story that’s been birthed from the scar.

Scars are a part of me.

They’re part of you.

Some we see with our eyes.

Some we feel with our hearts, though they may go unnoticed by others.

The corresponding stories are yours.

They’re mine.

But mostly, they’re His.

His story — His perfect plan — for you and for me.

Scars are part of our “History.”

Yes, there’s power in the stories of our scars.

And one’s “scar” story, when shared, will likely help bring healing to another’s wound.

And though, for him or her, a scar may remain, so will a story just waiting to be told.

That’s redemption.

That’s grace.

“For I know the plans I have for you… to proposer and not harm you, to offer you a hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11).