Monday, May 6, 2013

Scars as Blessings


 I had back surgery when I was 13 and I was left with a huge scar down the center of my back. For over 20 years I have been self conscious of that scar, and I always tried to hide it.

Well, the other day at the gym I saw a young woman in her 20s with the same scar and knew where it came from, but wondered why she was showing it so plainly for everyone to see. So I went up to her and asked if she had back surgery from having Scoliosis. She said she did. I then told her why I asked, explaining to her that I had the same surgery and when I had it. I then asked her to tell me her secret to not being self-conscious about it. 

First of all, she told me right away that she could see why I have been self-conscious: I was very young when I had the surgery, at the age when I was most impressionable and other kids are mean. I was scared not only physically but emotionally as well. She said she just had the surgery two years ago as an adult. She then told me she feels blessed to have had the surgery. She said if it wasn't for the surgery she wouldn't be able to do what she loves today: She owns her own Karate shop and teaches Karate. (She and her family joke that she should get a tattoo of a zipper over it.) She then told me to try and think of my scar as a symbol of the blessing I was given. She reminded me that without the surgery I would not be able to be there that day to lift the weights. 

What she said is so true that it moved me to tears on my way home. I believe God puts certain people in your path sometimes just to help you grow in areas of your life, and thinking on this whole blessing thing reminds me of the bible verse:

"Honor physicians for their services, for the Lord created them; for their gift of healing comes from the Most High, and they are rewarded by the king." --Sirach 38:1-2 (NRSV)

I thank Dr. Thompson for giving me the blessing to have a normal life, and I praise our Good God for giving him the gift to heal.