A Big, Ugly Scar

Here’s what I hate:  the big, ugly scar on my daughter’s forehead. 

I mean, she is quite literally scarred for life. 

Honestly, scars don’t really bother me.  I myself have a crater-sized chicken pox scar on my forehead—just a bit off-center.  It used to be more pronounced, but has faded some over the years and is now kept company by sunspots and wrinkles.

My darling husband has a killer scar stretching the entire length of one side of his face.  It’s not glaring or scary really and I actually find it pretty hot.  But, with guys, it’s different.  Guys with scars are viewed as cool.

Girls with scars are viewed as unfortunate.

I suppose Alexis is a bit unfortunate in this situation.

She was merely playing tag outside with some neighborhood friends when she slipped on some mulch and knocked her forehead squarely into a jagged rock on our front porch.  The rock deeply gouged her forehead and actually did not bleed very much. 

Our trip to the ER (chronicled in pictures above) was made better by her daddy’s presence through the whole ordeal. 

This was not our first trip to the ER.  Abigail had stitches in her chin two years ago.  Injuries are just a part of life I guess.

However, nearly 3 weeks later, the sight of Alexis’ stitches still bothers me.  I’ve even described her forehead as “Frankenstein-like.”  What a nice thing for a mom to say, huh!?  I am sure that the scar will continue to fade, but what if it doesn’t!?  And what if she gets another injury that leaves an even uglier scar?  Will I still love her?  (Of course!) 

What if her innocent little heart gets scarred by unfortunate accidents or tragic life events?  Or, even worse, what if her heart gets hurt by someone’s intentional actions?  What if her little spirit gets scarred for life!?

It brings tears to my eyes just to consider the pain she might have to face.  Mocking and sadness and discouragement and betrayal and heartache are just as possible as sunburns and skinned knees.   This world can truly beat you down and even seem to utterly destroy you.

After all, even Jesus experienced all of the above…sadnessand discouragement and betrayal and pain and scars.  He was utterly destroyed.  But wait!  God rescued Him. God raised Him up.  God restored Him. 

And that same power which raised Jesus, is at work inus!  (Rom 8:11)

That’s why we can say that we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but notin despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed!

I am comforted knowing that the Lord gives us beauty forashes, joy instead of mourning, and praise rather than despair—he heals our scars so that we become displays of His splendor.

Though my child’s forehead is blemished and her heart might one day be marred, she will never be crushed, abandoned, or destroyed because God will never leave her or forsake her.  My own scarred body and wounded heart know this to be true.