You're Lovely Even With Your Scars

I like to think I discovered stuff first.

Technically, I (we) discovered one of the first contemporary church services, and I write about it here.

I did come up with the name "Before And Africa" for my daughter's blog and she writes about that here.

I'd take all the credit for finding and keeping the love of my life, but I don't always live in the reality of truth.

More and more my reality is steeped in divine appointments, so sitting and discussing our breast cancer options in the friendly confines of the doctor's office, has come to mean just as much, if not more, than sitting along side Mark at the Willow Creek Movie theatre some 40 years ago.

Even with my most recent physical scar (which will always be a reminder that God is faithful to save, heal, and set free),  He and Mark are the reason I look at myself the way I do today. Beautiful.

It's funny, and full circle, that I've had two major surgeries in my life, both in Lafayette, IN. In a way, the first surgeries of skin grafts after my burn accident have shaped my outward appearance attitude to what it is today. I'm strong enough in my inner woman (along with Mark's strength of character) to live unaffected by the pressures of what the world considers beauty. I want to shout it from the roof-tops, I want to talk about it to each girl/woman I sit beside in a waiting room, I want my girlfriends, granddaughters, nieces, nephews, and neighbors hear me  preach  say it.

Pause here for a MOMent, and think about what your conversations, attitudes, time and money spent, are saying to your children.

Stop concentrating on your outward appearance. I've come to accept a compliment about my appearance as more of an insult.  "Oh, you look so good, have you lost weight?" means to me, "Oh, you didn't look so good a while back when you hadn't lost weight."
And right along those same lines, and even one toke over the line is the way one feels they can say, "Oh, you're so tall, or you're so skinny, and consider it a compliment. I don't think I've ever heard anyone say, "Oh, you're so short, or you're so fat!!!" Is this just me?

'Course, I'm not much for small talk, but if I go take a nap while you tell me about your exercise regime, forgive me.

If my eyes glaze over during mascara or manicure discussions, poke me when you get to some inner (wo)man discussions.

I will talk about health, but the line I won't cross is a "show and tell" about smooth skin or scars, veins or waxing,  lipo or lipstick, and tummy tucks or reconstruction.  Maybe it is just me, I can't tell or listen to birthing stories, and I can't stand to shop, either. Go figure.

Let's get over ourselves.

Philippians 2:1-4
My college sweetheart once had the whole 2nd chapter of Philippians memorized, we would all be wise to do the same 

"Now if your experience of Christ’s encouragement and love means anything to you, if you have known something of the fellowship of his Spirit, and all that it means in kindness and deep sympathy, do make my best hope for you come true! Live together in harmony, live together in love, as though you had only one mind and one spirit between you. Never act from motives of rivalry or personal vanity, but in humility think more of each other than you do of yourselves. None of you should think only of his own affairs, but should learn to see things from other people’s point of view."

Let's look inward and concentrate on these things:

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.


God looks on the heart.

I Peter 3: 2-4 ...when they see the purity and reverence of your lives, your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Don't try so hard 

God gives you grace and you can't earn it 
Don't think that you're not worth it
Because you are
He gave you His love and He's not leaving 

Gave you His Son so you'd believe it 

You're lovely even with your scars 

Don't try so hard

 ~ Amy Grant

On July 30, we will celebrate 36 years together.  

I love you more today than yesterday, but not half as much as tomorrow. 

What is the 36th year anniversary present? Paper? Flowers? Crystal? China? Sapphire? Silver?  

I'm leaning towards paper train tickets to Broadway, or a silver retro camper.