A number of years ago, I learned about the beauty of scars. A friend of mine was diagnosed with a brain tumor and she wore her crown of scars proudly. Deep incisions marked the area where the cancerous tumor was removed. My friend wasn’t phased by her new look and instead, proudly showed each person who came to visit. I can remember sitting across from her hoping to somehow absorb even a tenth of her faith.
This story came rushing back recently as I looked out over the mountainside from my cabin. The planned vacation not only provided a respite from daily life, but also hidden lessons of faith. One particular day, while looking at the mountains, my daughter-in-law mentioned the word scars in reference to the pock-marked mountainsides. Our quick conversation made space for God to teach me more.
The Smoky Mountains suffered big losses due to a fire in November of 2016. What looked like a contained fire, quickly got out of hand and much of the beauty now has its own crown of scars. The mountainside in my view was one such place.
But the lesson doesn’t stop there.
God is teaching me about the beauty of scars – the ones on the outside that are visible to others and the ones that no one can see. Age brings with it all sorts of new beauty marks and somedays I wake up and wonder how so much seemed to change overnight. The mirror is not always my friend.
I also wear a crown of scars. Age spots show up when I least expect them. Wrinkles take me by surprise while applying mascara. But when you get to know me you will find the scars on the inside tell more of my story.
The scars you can’t see tell stories of loss, love, brave faith, fear, surrender, identity, and the list goes on.
I bear redemption scars defined by loss but redeemed by the love of my Father.
My fears of feeling not enough or unworthy now stretch faintly across my heart as the brave faith of who I am replaces the scars of the lies I always believed.
Who I am now looks like a child of God. The deep, jagged scars of my identity are healing each time I embrace the truth of who God says I am.
Scars mark our journeys of despair, hope, grief, joy, and God’s redemption by the grace of His son, Jesus. I know my unseen scars tell stories that define who I am today. My crown of scars is sweeter because of my vulnerability and willingness to share some of the broken pieces with you. My story might look similar to your story, but your crown of scars is as unique as you are.
[Tweet “Your crown of scars is as unique as you are because the Father knows your beginnings and endings.”]
I find safety and peace in sharing my story in a community that opens their hearts in similar ways as me. When we nod together in agreement and whisper “me too”, God reminds us He is the connection. Wearing your own crown of scars defines a part of your story, but it doesn’t end there. God takes your endings and beginnings and lovingly holds them until He is ready to set them free.
From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus. Galatians 6:17 NLT
May you wear your crown of scars boldly and proclaim the greatness of God with each beauty mark He has graced you with.
Blessings,
Loading InLinkz ...
So much of your words here are my story as well, my friend. But as you so beautifully shared, our crown of scars are completely unique. I’m so glad I came to join you so I could read this much-needed encouragement. You are always a blessing, Mary.
Thank you for taking me up on the invitation. Your words are so important and I’m blessed you shared them here. Love you friend!
Thank you for this reminder, my friend. I think of my daughter whom God spared her life in a car accident her senior year of high school. She has a scar on her forehead in the shape of a Nike swoosh. Every time I see it, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and I thank Him for saving her (in more ways than one). This is a precious post, Mary, full of your precious words. Thank you!
I appreciate your kind words. I know we each have our own redemption stories whether the scars or visible or not. I love seeing you here at #TellHisStory.
What a beautiful post and so touching! Thank you so much for your words and the blessing that it brings to all of us who carry those scars. What an encouragement to share of those scars boldly.
You’re welcome! I am grateful for the blessing of your encouragement and how God connects people through our stories. I pray we feel God’s strength and courage to be able to show our scars vulnerably and honestly.
Wear your scars as a crown. I love this Mary. It reminds me too of Isaiah 62:3 You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. We are enough and deeply loved, and redeemed, all of us!
Thank you for pointing us to Isaiah 62:3. I love the words , “you will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand”. I am agreeing with you that we are deeply loved and redeemed. Blessings to you as you finish up your week.
Man, we all have them don’t we? You’ve got me thinking.
Yes we do. I hope you share after you are finished thinking. Glad you stopped by.
God is teaching me about the beauty of scars – the ones on the outside that are visible to others and the ones that no one can see.
I was just talking to my dad about the scar on my arm. It was a routine mole on the back of my arm and it was bothering me so I asked to have it removed. The next day I was arranging to have surgery to remove a 10-centimeter section from my arm where the melanoma had been located.
The scar is pretty ugly, but it represents life to me. I love to tell people about the scar on the back of my arm and the way God revealed the truth of what was lying underneath – a killer. I am grateful. I am alive!
What you just described is exactly how my friend felt who had brain cancer. Those scars represented life, her life and that’s why she proudly shared them. I appreciate you opening up about your own scar and what you learned from it. I am rejoicing with you that God brought you through and left the scar to remind you of His love.
Mary, I hadn’t thought about wearing our scars as a crown in this way before, but you are right, our testimony is so powerful and we need to share with others where we were and how Jesus changed us. Thanks for your words that will have me contemplating many things in my life, that I often try to hide. Plus I am getting one year older next week and another year closer to 50 – not quote there yet, still have another year, so there’s that to through into the mix too. LOL Blessings my friend
Our testimony is needed and there is so much freedom in sharing who we are because of God. I hope the contemplation brings you closer to God. Also, turning another year older is such a blessing. And fifty is an amazing age. Thanks for being here.
Mary, I love, love this post. Yes, the scars on the inside of us do truly tell our story, don’t they? And those scars on my identity get healed a little more each time I choose to believe who God sees me as rather than who I see myself as being.
I’m so thrilled you’re hosting the Tell His Story linkup!
I have a lot of stories to tell and in some ways I’m glad they are hidden on the inside. But the more I claim my identity as a child of God, the more I know my vulnerability is needed to continue moving forward. I am so glad I reached out to you and that you joined us here today at the linkup. It’s good to read your writing again.
“Wearing your own crown of scars defines a part of your story, but it doesn’t end there. God takes your endings and beginnings and lovingly holds them until He is ready to set them free.” Yes, our scars are a part of us and serve a purpose, they are not all of who we are. Blessings to you, Mary! Great post!
It is a blessing to know that God holds poor scars lovingly and uses them to grow and heal us. We are not defined by our scars, but they do serve a purpose. Thank you for being here and joining in on the conversation.
What a lovely post, Mary. Yes, we all bear scars, on spirit as well as body. But each tells a story of God’s grace and help and healing.
Thank you Barbara! You described it well by saying we bear scars on our spirit as well as our body. Blessed you are here and part of this community.
My daughter, Kimberly, taught me much about bearing our scars proudly. A beautiful song by Point of Grace, Heal the Wound: Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart, take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar…
It sounds like your daughter has an amazing story. I used to listen to Point of Grace so I will look up their song, Heal the Wound. The words are a perfect compliment to this post. Blessed you joined the conversation, Debbie.
Beautiful post, Mary! I agree, our scars are important and there is power in sharing them. They can be a great reminder of what God has brought us through and of his power to redeem them and use them for his glory.
Thank you for your encouragement, Lesley. God is a redeemer and our scars are part of the story He wants to redeem for us. It’s quite remarkable to think about, isn’t it?
Good morning, Mary. I am moved by your reflections here. Your words inspired me to consider the scars I have not yet embraced. May He bless you today, Julie
What a treat to have you here today, Julie! I know I have scars that I have not embraced but I am learning to keep my heart open to how God wants to use them. Blessings to you today!
Leaning into the beauty of our aging selves is a culture-defying perspective, and SO important to our wellness, both physically and spiritually. I sometimes wonder what God had in mind when He ordained the parameters of the aging process. Don’t you think that maybe the softening and the fading are a picture and a parable that are intended to image our loosening hold on this planet?
You always have a way of getting me to think deeper about my own words. The question you ask is one that I contemplate more often. I know I love this stage of my life because I feel a confidence in who I am that I haven’t always known. It’s beautiful to think how God orchestrates each stage of our lives and why shouldn’t He provide a way for us to ease into the future with Him. Thank you for adding a wonderful perspective to the conversation.
This is a think about it kind of post. I love that you and your relative came up with the notification of mountains bearing scars from fires, erosion, people marks, etc. I imagine all of these that shape our landscapes. I have scars too from thinking line on my forehead when I furrow my brows, smile lines outside of my eyes, and elbow scars from a very bad accident I had last summer. I feel the beauty in them today as you share this post with us. I am thankful that scars can be brave, beautiful, and necessary for God to change us and the things around us. Love, JKC, and FMF and Tell His Story fan
God loves to teach me through nature. When you spend time outside walking and capturing photos, God has a way of widening your view. We all have scars as part of our stories and we have a choice whether we allow God to redeem them or not. Scars are brave and beautiful. I know you display that in your own life.