Marked to Remember

Since this last surgery I have become scar conscious. Only my thyroid surgery at the age  of 19 produced a scar that is visible to the public. The rest of the more than 10 surgical scars lie hidden beneath my clothes. Friends, relatives and strangers do not live daily with an awareness of how many scars mar my already less than perfect frame.

It was confirmed that osteoarthritis had caused enough damage to my knees so that only replacement  knees made from titanium would return me to normal. Soon I was imagining  long very visible scars eventually on both knees. My desire to lessen the raised red lines  that would eventually mark both of my man made knees, grew greater as the date for surgery drew closer.

I found a book on the  attributes of God called None Like Him. Jen Wilken clearly explains how the attributes of God are not dry theological ideas but important life changing concepts. Unlike God who has no beginning and no end we live life within time. When we are born our height and weight are noted and when we die a small obituary takes note of our passing. God is eternal. He had no beginning and he will have no end.

At the age of 27 Jen discovered that she had melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, She was left with a thick scar,  She now sees that scar as a reminder that every day is a gift from God. Jen is also reminded that nothing will disturb the life of our heavenly father.. He was,is, and always will be. Amazingly while our father is outside of time, his son Jesus came  to earth so that by his scars we are healed. My scars can remind me that my days are numbered and also remind me of the gift that Jesus gave when he willingly came into time.

I don't know if or how much my scars will fade. No matter what they look like  they will not decrease my self esteem. May my scars instead increase my esteem for my father God who is the giver of all good gifts including scars.




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