SCARS written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

As I slowly stirred the soup bubbling on the stove, I noticed Maddy, my 3 1/2 year old

granddaughter. She was very deep in thought....too deep for a small child. I could see the

anxiety on her precious little face,

as she rubbed her hand over the long, rough scar on her tummy......

 

The scar that is a constant reminder of the huge cancerous tumor that nearly took her

life when she was only 13 months old. She is too young to remember that horrifying

time in her life that was filled with pain and fear....

but she knows that her tummy doesn't look like other kid's tummies.

After a few moments she raised her shirt and looked at the jagged scar.

She then looked up at me and said,"Grandma, is my belly pretty??"

I nearly choked with emotion as I exclaimed,"Maddy, your belly is  BEAUTIFUL !!!"

Her face lit up as a big smile made her blue eyes dance ! Delighted, she ran into the

family room to check on her sleeping baby dolls.

Everything was suddenly perfect and right in her world again.

 

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I turned my attention back to the bubbling soup.

Maddy's scar IS beautiful !

A beautiful reminder of the miracle that saved her precious little life.

A beautiful reminder of God's awesome mercy.

A beautiful reminder of His answers to our desperate, pleading prayers.

A beautiful reminder to be thankful  every  day.

 

Jesus has scars too.....beautiful scars !

On His head...to remind us He is our Savior and King.

On His hands... to remind us of His love...

As He spread them wide to show us just how much.

On His feet...to remind us to walk with Him.

In His side...to remind us He is beside us always.

 

Beautiful scars.

 

Maddy's scar reminds us of the miracle that saved HER ...

Jesus' scars remind us of the miracle that saved US...

 

"Yes Maddy, Your belly is beautiful !!"

Surrounded by Beauty by Tana LeMay

I love pretty things – clothing, jewelry, furniture, flowers, pictures….the list goes on and on. I believe God gives each of us an appreciation for beauty, whether it be manmade or crafted by God’s own hands. To some, myself not included, He gives the ability to create beauty in stories, songs, poetry, and art. To all He gives the ability to enjoy His creation and created things through our senses. With our eyes we gaze in wonder as a rainbow fills the horizon. The sweet aroma of lilacs on a summer breeze tickles our nose. A child’s giggle is sweet music to a mother’s ear. And does anything taste better than warm apple pie? Or feel softer than a baby’s skin? We don’t have to run to the nearest mall or museum to find beauty. If we look hard enough, we can find it in each moment.

¹³ For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139: 13-14.

Your Pain by Julie Short

Today
Suddenly
I was
Able to
Feel
Your pain.

I was so lost
For so long
In my own
Pain

That I couldn’t
Even see
Yours.

I am sickened by
Your burden
Willing to use
All my wishes
To wipe your
Pain away.

It was at that moment
I realized
Why you had to walk away.
You felt my pain.

I want to be there
For you
To
Pray with you
And for you

And let you know
That God doesn’t
Leave us
And He makes
ALL things
Beautiful
In His time.