Scars Remind Us

If you look closely, a four-inch scar runs underneath my forearm from the bottom of my hand toward my elbow. It’s a reminder of a careless mistake from long ago. One evening after arriving home from work, I continued working on our closet shelves. You see, earlier that week, I decided to gift my wife more shelves for her closet.

Shortly after dinner, I went to work measuring the length and started cutting the wire shelves. Completing the job took me longer than expected because the hacksaw blade was dull. Unfortunately, it was late into the night, and I had no time to run out to get a replacement.

As I struggled to cut the wire shelves, my wife suggested I stop. “Honey, it’s late already. It’s past 10 pm, and you have to work tomorrow. Why don’t you leave it for another day?” Youthful and frustrated, I replied, “Let me just finish this one cut, and I’ll call it a night.” Youthful and wise, she insisted, “I really think you should stop. It’s late, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Undeterred by her suggestion, I pressed on. Then, to rush the process, on the very last wire, I decided to fold the wire back onto itself over and over until it snapped. Not surprisingly, it worked. However, on the last tug, my hand slipped, and one of the jagged edges cut straight across my wrist. When I saw the gash, I rushed to the bathroom.

While examing the wound under running water, I calmly called out to my wife, “Babe, we need to head to the hospital. I think I need stitches.” She ran in, panicked, and shortly after, we were off.

Today when I look at the scar, I don’t relive the moment but rather am reminded of how I got it. I’m also thankful for an understanding wife who cared for me even after I didn’t heed her advice.

My story reminds me of how many of us bear physical and mental scars. Whether an accident, trauma or wrong decision we made, we can’t seem to forget. I also remember that, like us, Jesus still carries the scars of what he did for us on the cross. However, for now, we should view our scars as reminders of His continual saving grace and promise to one day heal those wounds permanently.

Daily Directive:

Answer and Journal the Following

Read:

Revelation 21:4-5
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
⁵ And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Pray:

Pray to see your scars not as defeats but as reminders of how one day Christ will make all things new again.

Meditate / Make It Real:

Contemplate and meditate on or memorize the passage. What is God saying to you? Then, determine what you will do with what you’ve learned.

Share / Show:

Share and show what you’ve learned with someone else.