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Instant Message
Sign of Healing
by Clare Cartagena (Clare's bio)
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"…For I am the Lord that heals you." Exodus 15:26b
Tina grabbed her running shoes and a pair of thick socks. She glanced at the calendar remembering what happened two years ago. She had left her house for a quick jog. Moments later a huge dog attacked viciously biting her leg open. That changed her morning routine completely. She would not run alone. She would not stay on the same side of the street if someone with a dog came by. She heard imaginary growls from every bush. Thankfully two years later she was back to her usual ways except that she always said a prayer first. Sitting on the bed she bent over to pull her sock on. She grabbed the elastic edge then stopped and stared at her leg. There it was all bumpy and jagged looking, the scar from the bite.
Have you ever experienced something frightening or painful? Something that changes how you live your life? Bad things happen. It's a fact. But life goes on. Time pushes the freshness of the memory away leaving faded scars behind.
That's where Tina was that morning. She remembered the attack but she did not feel the fear anymore. Still there was the visible scar. Your scar may not be like hers, on the outside. Yours may be on the inside, in your heart, in your emotions, in your ability to trust others.
You may think when Tina looked at the ugly mark on her leg that bad feelings filled her. But that is not the case. Instead she ran her hand over it amazed that the painful, bleeding wound healed.
There is someone else who knows about scars. His name is Jesus. He has marks on His hands and in His side from the crucifixion. They were there even after His resurrection. Why did God leave those reminders of Jesus' most difficult experience? Why? Think about it.
Scars are not reminders of pain. Scars are a sign of healing, a sign that a wound no longer exists, that the body is strong and able to overcome attack. Surely Jesus' scars mean just that. By His suffering we receive healing. We are made whole. We are restored to strength. Let Jesus give new meaning to your scars. They are not left behind to disable but to magnify the healing that occurred. Take a moment in prayer to allow God to show you the beauty of scars.
Copyright 2002, Clare Cartagena. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About Clare Cartagena: Clare Cartagena is an award winning published author of devotionals and short stories. Her life is full with her husband of fourteen years, two preteen children, and a career as a chemist. The Lord has captured her heart and drawn her into youth ministry at her church, Church for the Valley, Assembly of God. She considers it a privilege to lovingly support God's most exciting generation of youth ever that not one should perish or miss the awesome love of their Creator. E-mail Clare at ccarta1058@aol.com |
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