Story telling scars

It happened 13 years ago. A crafting project was well underway. I was creating wall art for my room in the little duplex I shared with two other college students.

Working in the garage so that I wouldn’t make a mess inside, I pushed up the blade on the box cutter with confidence. I had never used this tool before but it seemed intuitive. I placed the blade at the top of the frame and used all of my strength to pull it down towards myself.

The intent was to cut through a layer of cardboard from the inside of a frame. The result I got was totally different. Rather than cutting through the cardboard, I sliced off the tip of my thumb. A visit to the hospital and a good bit of stitching re-attached the flesh that had been removed, and many weeks later my thumb was good to go.

I still have a scar from the injury, and the tip of my thumb has no feeling. At first glance, there is no evidence of trauma. You’d never know what my poor thumb endured had I not told you the story. In fact, even knowing the story, you’d have to take a close look at my thumb to see the scar that was left behind as evidence.

Nine years ago, I endured the most traumatic season of my life when I learned divorce would be a part of my story. My heart was ripped open and all of my dreams were shattered in a moment. But after many visits to the throne of God, a miracle occurred. He bound up the brokenness and He healed me.

Looking at me now, you probably wouldn’t know it. At first glance, you might assume I would never understand rejection, heartbreak, or disappointment.

And that’s exactly why I share my story. That’s exactly why I write. Because I want people to know. I want people to know what God has done for me. I want others to know how I have been redeemed. How my heart was healed. How my sins were forgiven. And how my life has been changed!

We all have scars. Some are more visible than others. But rather than hide them, let’s share them. Because every scar holds its own story of healing and you never know who needs to hear it!

“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story...” - Psalm 107:2