Scars

We live in the country, kind of “country folk” and as most of us in the country we have a burn pile. In the country we burn branches that have fallen and we have enjoyed many a weenie roast out there also. When the burn pile was started there was one little scrawny twig of a tree that was a good ways away but we didn’t expect our burn pile to grow so much. As a result this little tree was exposed to many bond fires. Every year we look a her and think that probably she will succumb to this harshness. But still she stands. Today I looked at this little tree, as I took in the beautiful sun and enjoyed my coffee. What I noticed was the deep, deep scars from being too close fire but I also noticed the fresh new buds reaching to the sky. New life came as it reached skyward. The scars remain, the damage has healed but the scars will always be a part of this little tree. Isn’t this like us? We are exposed to the harshness of life or even sin but if we reach upward to the “Son” new life can be ours. We can always look at the scars and remember, as well we should, those hard times that brought us such pain but we can also look at how we grow and reach to our Lord and how he gives us new life. We may even be able to tell someone about our scars about how the Lord delivered us to a new day filled with sunshine. When you look at my little tree please look past the scars to see her reaching heavenward to the only one who can truly heal.

For you shall go out with joy. And be led out with peace; The mountain and the hills shall break forth into singing before you. And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12