Scars

What if everyone walked around with their scars visible?

No, really..... think on this for a few minutes. Now picture it; people with visible scars from every hurt they have endured and experienced in their lifetime. Some people do have very visible scars and when we see them, we immediately go to a place of empathy and compassion for that person because we SEE that they have been through something traumatic that CAUSED those scars.

What if the emotional and verbal and mental traumas we all have experienced at some point in our lives were all of a sudden visible on every human being? Imagine with me as you order your coffee and the barista's smile suddenly fades and her face was covered in scars making her look like a character from a horror movie. Would you have empathy, compassion, and most likely sympathy for her? Would you feel disgust at her sight? Would you judge her because her outward beauty no longer fits the standards of beauty we have created in this world?

Now look inwardly and see YOUR SCARS....

If your scars were to suddenly appear from every hurt you have endured, what would you look like? Would you be appalled at your own reflection or would you have empathy and compassion for yourself? Would you spend countless hours trying to hide the scars so no one would see that you have been hurt, which in reality, only causes more wounds and thus more scars?

My scars tell a story. My scars have actually made me beautiful. Scars show that there has been HEALING...NOT FORGETTING... but HEALING! Just like when someone receives stitches and the physical scar is left behind ~the wound healed. I HAVE HEALED and am still healing.

When someone is rising out of the ashes of domestic violence, they may have some physical scars, but they will absolutely have psychological scars. They may be smiling, or distant, or unfocused or worried, but they are healing the very moment they escape! Abuse rips open the wounds over and over and over again and the survivor will fight just not to bleed all over everyone. Then once they escape, and the healing starts the wounds will close but those scars.... they will never go away. They will fade, but the reminders will always be there.

Today, I encourage you to see the world and the people in it differently as you go about your day. When you find yourself wanting to judge someone, IMAGINE THEIR SCARS and remember your own and give compassion, mercy, grace, and peace to that person. Maybe you will be the bandage needed to help another stop bleeding and start healing.

Jude 1:20

"But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's Love."