When God’s Son left heaven and came here to earth, He was beaten, too. He got scars, too. And every scar tells a story. You and I are that story. It’s about how very, very much He loves you.
It was chaos when my mother’s water broke. My sister and I were due in October not July. The year was 1979 and three-month premature twins’ surviving was unheard of. After we were born, the doctor pressed my parents to make funeral arrangements for me. At one pound, ten ounces, he gave me zero percent chance of surviving. My twin sister, slightly larger at two pounds, six ounces, only had a fifty percent chance. After open-heart surgery, pneumonia, and a three-month stint in the hospital, my parents finally took us home.
The scars that adorn my wrist, ankles, and chest are reminders of my journey. We all have scars. Like me, some of you have visible scars and for others they are hidden beneath the surface. My scars have become so much a part of me that for months I forget about them. Then comes swimsuit season and my scars become so visible-it’s almost as if they have a neon sign pointing to them. It has taken me thirty-two years to go beyond tolerating my scars to seeing the beauty in them.
My inquisitive three-year old pointed to a scar one day and asked me what it was. For a moment, I hesitated, not knowing how to explain it to her, and then I responded, “Its Mommy’s reminder that God is always with me.”
My family calls me the miracle baby and when I look at my scars, I know it’s true. The only way I survived is God’s presence. I know He was there guiding the doctor’s hands as they closed the hole in my tiny heart, and He was there holding me as I lay in NICU struggling to breathe.
None of us can walk through this life unscathed. All of us have scars.
As an adult, when I look at my scars, instead of seeing the ugliness, I choose to see beauty. My scars empower me, reminding me of God’s unfailing presence in my life.
What stories do your scars tell?
By Kendra Cameron Jarvis A Busy Woman’s Life
Leave a Comment
Amy Hunt says
Mmmm…this is such sweet food for the soul this morning! How you worship in your living is so beautiful! I love this perspective of bringing “scars” to the altar as worship and gratitude for His handiwork in our lives.
There are many scars that I have and I am learning to bring them to Him, and to see that it all might be mercies in disguise, even though it’s been a long, hard, ugly road.
This week I’m writing about a specific friendship in my life that has been restored, healed and made brand new through His grace and love. Only through Him. This friendship has a lot of scars and my friend and I looked at those scars when we wrote this series together, reliving how our *yesterdays* led to our *today* to see His handiwork in our lives. It started out scary to relive those days, worried the pain would be too intense. But instead, He walked us through them and covered us with reminders of how He was there, and He is with us today. And all is grace.
He’s so good!
Rich blessings to you in your writing journey, Kendra…
Sarah says
I had no idea about this. It’s truly amazing! I had tears in my eyes trying to imagine going through this as a parent. The attitude you have is amazing as always! Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us 🙂
Laura says
We just celebrated my son’s fifth birthday over the weekend and he was 3 1/2 months premature. Every scar on his little body is now a beautiful reminder to me of God’s loving care during those terrifying months while he was in the hospital clinging to life. My emotional scars aren’t as visible but I have healed stronger and wiser and can now offer encouragement to women going through the same painful ordeal. God really does work everything together for good for those who love him!
Joy Sherman says
Reminds me of the song, “Heal the Wounds (but Leave the Scars)” by Point of Grace.
Thank you for being willing to be a VISIBLE TESTIMONY to God’s loving grace in your life.
Blessings!
Gloria says
“None of us can walk through this life unscathed. All of us have scars.” That line is powerful and freeing. Many times Satan will lead us to believe that we are the only one that is scared or we are the only one dealing with this type issue.
We all have scars some are visible and others are beneath the skin. God is bringing me to a place where I am beginning to deal with some past hurts that have left deep scars to me emotionally. I am trusting him that through this process – I will be able to view the scars as you now do – a sign of HIS presence and grace a sign of HIS sustaining power and love.
Thanks for sharing. Be blessed.
Kandice says
Wow. This one could have been written just for me. God is so good that way huh? I was born 3 months premie in 1974, and though I didn’t have heart surgery I have my own scars that are my blessing too. I also have Cerebral Palsy. When I was a kid (not raised in church) I used to cry and wonder why God would make somone like me. Somone who was so broken and that no one could love (horrible bullying at school and home). That’s when I first heard His whisper telling me I was beautiful to HIM. To this day he shows me daily how His hand is always on me. Provision, Love, and direction is ever present…. although MAN did I need the reminder today as I head to the doctor. Thank you for sharing your story 🙂 What a blessing.
Karen says
I have a seven-inch scar across my lower abdomen from my c-section six years ago. It means I have a precious son. I love it.
Beth Williams says
I loved the line “None of us can walk through this life unscathed. All of us have scars.” That is what God expects of us.. broken hearts, wounded coming to Him for healing power.
Our scars empower us to be better women and Christians. They toughen us up for rougher bumpier roads ahead.
Thanks for the post!!
David Brown says
WOW! You are truely a miracle from God. I praise God that His Grace shown down on you. Thank you for your friendship and willingness to let your scars to be vessels of encouragement and healing for others..
dawn says
Wow–you ARE a miracle!
My NICU story turned out differently…and my son went Home. So, my scars (other than that c-section beauty) are on the inside. They are beautiful to me as well. They DO tell a story, a life-altering one. I posted about it here: http://dawnsgoodlife.blogspot.com/2010/09/scarred-but-whole.html
I love your perspective that every scar tells a story! It is true!
Anonymous says
amazing story! thank you so much for encouraging us and sharing:) Praises, God!
Anonymous says
*anonymous= Rachel Glasgow;)
Holley Gerth says
What a powerful story, Kendra! Thanks for the reminder that He understands our scars because He has them too. Very comforting!
Pamela Budd says
Makes me love you more
Christine says
My sister, who is 16 years older than me, told me I was born dead and was rushed to the hospital. My dad also told me I was rushed there, too, when he was alive. I have a scar on my ankle where they did a cut-down. So I guess I can testify that there really is a resurrection!! God must have something special planned for me which He hasn’t informed me about yet.
Sharon C. says
Kendra – It is hard to relive that time through your story. I have very deep scars also. Not knowing if the two little girls that we had prayed for and wanted so badly would live and if they did if they would be ok. But, this was a turning point in my life in that this is when I really understood that God was real and that he was indeed looking out for us. As you remember, I was 5 months pregnant with you and your sister when I was baptised and I truly believe that this miracle happened because I was obediant to HIM. You and your sister are blessings to us and your scars are beautiful to me. Love, Mom
Elisabeth says
My sister was born premature at 1 lb 6 oz and the doctors tried to get my dad to do the same thing. He said he couldn’t do that and pray at the same time for her to survive. She is 24 yrs old and jus got married on Saturday. She has a big scar that her husband thinks is cool running down her back =) scars do remind us that God is always with us! Beautiful post and great reminder.
Living the Balanced Life says
What a wonderful story! Amazing that you made it and such a blessing!
I have my own personal scars. They are not visible, but they are reminders that I am stubborn, yet God still loves me. They remind me that I bad to do things my way instead of waiting on His perfect timing, yet He still loves me.
Love this post! Thank you for sharing!
Bernice
Reach out and take a hand
kendra cameron jarvis@www.abusywomanslife.com says
Thanks all! What an encouragement you all are!
Blessings,
Kendra
Katie says
How beautiful! I never thought of my scars the way you do. “Its Mommy’s reminder that God is always with me.” I to am a twin, born with not even knowing my weight, in 1971. My sister went home from the hospital before me. I was born with scoliosis kyphosis and had surgery in 1973 for it. I have always been ashamed of my scar up and down my back that was always made fun of by other children. As an adult the children that ask me about it are innocent and I say it is where the doctor’s fixed my back. I need to change my answer to it is God’s reminder. And not just with the physical scars, all the other non-seen scars inside me emotionally.
Brianne says
thank you for this outlook on scars. I have a huge (to me) about 12 inch vertical abdominal scar… and YES, it is a reminder that God is always with me…. Have to remind myself of the truth of that and continue to see it in such a light…
Sabrina says
What a beautiful story, gave me goosebumps! And your mom’s reply, such a great way to look at things. My husband was burned when he was 13 (80% of his body, 2nd and 3rd degree burns), he’s had 2 life flights on helicopters (different incidents after the burns), he’s been in several car accidents, in a coma, fell off of a ladder and cracked his skull, had a minor brain bleed…he has always said he would never get a tatoo, because God gave him better, meaningful ones (scars), and he knows that since he’s lived through all that, he knows God is watching out for him. The scars remind him of that.
Marie says
Thank you for this prompt. My scars remind me that “I can do hard things.” If I can get through major back surgery at the age of 16 then I can do anything. I am strong and powerful, because God is my strength, and I have been taught many times how to rely on Him.
Thank you again for sharing your story.
alli says
wow. The fact that you are here is a testimony, it helps me know God can do anything and when I think there is no hope that there is. Thank you.
Michelle Crisp says
Kendra you truly are an inspiration… Thank you so much for sharing your life to bless others.
One visible scar I have is from a trampoline accident that could have very easily resulted in a tragedy. I was in middle school and wanted desperatly for my mom to watch me do my new trick. Well the first time went off perfectly and yep, you guessed it…she wasn’t watching. So second time….not so much luck. Ended in a speedy trip to the ER with a totally blood soaked towel in tow. I remember vividly them telling me that they did not have room for me. Wow just now typing this made me think of what Mary must have felt. They did make room in a closet for me. And after some xrays they determined I had broken my nose. I now have a small scar under my nose….mine is not visible for others to see. Only I know it is there. Thank you for giving me a new perspective on my scar. Truthfully the doctors were amazed that I was alive.
Angela says
Beautifully written! Your kind heart shows through in your writing. Keep on with more stories!