Do you have any scars?  I have too many to count.  What’s funny, most of them are the result of living life big – having fun.  Like the one on the top of my foot from an incident at the lake when I was a little girl.  Or the one on my thigh from mountain biking while on vacation in Colorado.  Or the scar on my calf from a road cycling fall – it looks exactly like my chain ring. Ha!

I think scars are on my mind a lot lately because as I write this, I’m about to wear a donated dress for a charity event I’m emceeing that puts my recent skin cancer surgery scar on full display for the world to see. (I needed 40 stitches in my back after Mohs for basal cell carcinoma.) I’ll admit, as a woman, anticipating wearing that dress tonight has made insecurity roar it’s ugly head.  Also, after a year of trying to be careful in the sun, I have to go in this week for 4 more biopsies.  That means 4 more lovely scars. Ugh.

Many of us have emotional scars.  They go deep.  They may even still be open wounds.

But I’m learning to have a new perspective on scars.  I’ve shown my skin cancer scar to several women and it’s encouraged them to get their skin checked!  I’ve shown my emotional scars to others and as a result, they no longer felt alone in their pain.

Our own Savior Jesus, is known for his scars, and we are forever grateful.  “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5  Remember doubting Thomas, the disciple who needed some evidence?  Jesus responded with compassion as we see in John 20. “Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Jesus’ scars on his hands, feet and side are a stunning reminder of His incredible love for us.

When we go through things that wound us, physically or emotionally, we scar.  But those scars can be used to love others, modeling the sacrificial love our Savior showed us.  So go ahead, show those scars, and pray that by our wounds others will feel loved and not alone.

With love,