Heal the wound, leave the scar

Do you have a scar? I mean, a physical one. A mark that serves as a reminder of a time in your life where you experienced a hurt. A mark that has a story to go along with it. I do. But this scar I have is different, I asked for this one.

It happened one cool, late summer evening. For a year prior to this evening, about 4 evenings a week, I run. I typically run the same path, give or take a few turns here or there. This evening, I rounded a corner close to home, one that I had rounded many times before. Listening to some tunes, enjoying the last few moments until my return, I found myself in a different position. In a split second, I heard a loud smack, realized that my body had rolled over onto soft grass, and felt an intense burning in my knee. I sat there stunned, wondering what in the world happened. I slowly stood up and attempted to assess my injuries. Everything seemed to be functioning alright as I glanced down at the source of the burning near my knee. Sure enough, blood could be seen and felt running down my leg. Next thought... "Did anyone see me ?" (glance right, glance left)...whew. Next thought... "How dare you! You stupid sidewalk! I know you just decided, hey, let's get her!" Oh well, no real harm, let's just get home.

As I began to walk, I heard that clear, gentle voice that I've come to recognize as the voice of my Jesus whisper to me, "Heather, how did you just react to that fall?"

"That one? Aww, just a scrape. The burning will go away."

"If that was one of your children, what would they have done?"

"Oh, that's easy...wait for it...3,2,1....AAAAAAAAAAAAA (a.k.a. blood curling scream)."

"Why didn't you react like that?"

"Because I've experienced all sorts of different pains in my life, I know this is no big deal. I'll be alright."

"And what else would your children have done?"

"Frantically look for me, run to me with all there might, desperately seeking reassurance, a hug and a kiss."

"When was the last time you ran like this to me?"

(Gulp.)

Pause.

"Heather, what will you do when you get home?"

"Take a shower, clean the wound."

"Will it hurt?"

"Yes, a little."

"Then, why will you do it?"

"If I don't clean it, it will fester, get infected, heal incorrectly."

"Heather, what other wounds do you have? Ones you have ignored, ones you tried to clean yourself, ones left to fester. Will you let me open your wound again, I need to clean it the right way. Will you let me come in and cleanse? Come in and heal?"

"But Lord, it's going to hurt."

"I know." He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. Isaiah 53:5

"But Lord, I don't want to."

"I know." If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. Matthew 26:39

"Lord, I'm scared."

"I know." He was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. Luke 22:44

"Lord, I believe, help me in my unbelief." (Mark 9:14-29)
"Oh, one more thing Lord. Could you do me a favor? When you heal my wound, could you leave the scar?"

One year later, he has continued to answer my prayer. I even have a mirror-image scar, same knee, one inch to the left.



Where is your scar? Do you see it as God sees it, beautiful? If you are interested in further investigation, may I highly recommend 2 books. Check out the links section on the sidebar to your right. Visit Sharon Jaynes and her book Your Scars are Beautiful to God, as well as singer and author Gwen Smith's newly released title Broken Into Beautiful. These ladies have allowed the Lord to come in and heal their wounds in a way only He can. Because of their obedience to His call on their life, they speak of hope and of God's grace. Also, at your leisure, visit About Me, and check out a fabulous song by Point of Grace, released just two weeks after my fall, entitled, none other than...Heal the Wound. God Bless!

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and healing shall spring up quickly. Isaiah 58:8

Daughter, your faith has made you well, go in peace, and be healed in your disease. Mark 5:34