It was springtime as my first grade self climbed one rung at a time toward to the top of the ever popular blue slide. The slide was the happening place to be on our playground. Blue only on its sides, color worn from constant climbing up and sliding down, it seemed miles tall and was a source of much childhood joy and to be honest, a little childhood pain too.
I waited patiently as we lined up on the rungs working our way one by one to the top. I knew it was a risk that day, attempting to slide in the skirt Grandma got me that Christmas. I had the whole outfit on - skirt, blouse, and pantyhose. I have no idea why I was dressed up that day, maybe it was picture day, I don't know, but my biggest worry was making sure I kept control of my skirt so the boys didn't see my panties when I slid.
I did not, however, anticipate the landing. Too concerned about holding my skirt, I lost my balance at the end of the slide, scraping both knees pretty good on the gravel. The teacher came to my aid, helping me up. As I looked down at my knees crying, I was devastated to see the blood coming through what were now torn pantyhose.
Eventually the bleeding stopped, the wounds scabbed over and, in time, they healed, leaving behind a scar on each knee. The scars were visible for years, and as all kids do, I recounted the cause of them to many a childhood friend, but somewhere along the way they faded past recognition because I can't find them now.
We all experience things in life that wound and scar us, many of you terrible things that no one should have to deal with.
But the enemy is banking on our focusing on the injustice of what happened, the questions of why, the pain, the bleeding of our hearts.
What he doesn't want us to do is to turn our wounds into weapons.
Yes, your wound can be used as a weapon against darkness.
Wounds leave scars and scars are a result of healing.
They are thicker, tougher than the rest of our skin so that they protect against repeat injury.
Our culture doesn't see the beauty of a scar, but I do and I think God does too.
They are evidence that we survived.
That's why we should show our scars to others, telling the story of what happened and how He redeemed you and healed the once bleeding wound.
For those of you who have scars, ask Him how you can turn that wound into a weapon. Through prayer and the light of His Word, He will show you.
My friend, if you're still bleeding from those wounds, go to the One who offers a healing balm. He wants to heal you and give that wound a chance to scar over.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalms 147:3
For by His wounds we are healed.
1 Peter 2:24
