Scars of Love
A story i took from "The Inspiration Place":
Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.
He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother in the house was looking out the window saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go."
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. Not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle. He's been there holding on to you.
The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of his love on your arms be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.
Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they were made.
~ Author Unknown ~
I can't help but cried (a little) as i was reading this. felt that God was directly talking to me. I've felt intense guilt towards God for certain things that i've done. and because of them, i've often felt that my christian life was a struggle. its as though there are these wounds that never go away. but i've always seen them as though they were constant reminders of my flaws and sins. never have i seen those wounds in this light.
The author wrote "But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle. He's been there holding on to you." This really touches my heart. I feel the Holy Spirit moving me into understanding what i've done wrong but then God still haven give up on me. no wonder i always felt those struggles in my christian life.
I must always look upon these scars of God's love to give myself strength to overcome my weakness and flaws. I mustn't run away from God thinking that im not worthy or something. Yes, we are indeed unworthy of His great love but what He wants really is for us to return back to Him, into His protecting arms. this is just like the mother wanting nothing, but for his son to return back into her arms safe and sound.
Some verses for edification (:
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1
Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.
He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother in the house was looking out the window saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go."
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. Not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle. He's been there holding on to you.
The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of his love on your arms be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.
Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they were made.
~ Author Unknown ~
I can't help but cried (a little) as i was reading this. felt that God was directly talking to me. I've felt intense guilt towards God for certain things that i've done. and because of them, i've often felt that my christian life was a struggle. its as though there are these wounds that never go away. but i've always seen them as though they were constant reminders of my flaws and sins. never have i seen those wounds in this light.
The author wrote "But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle. He's been there holding on to you." This really touches my heart. I feel the Holy Spirit moving me into understanding what i've done wrong but then God still haven give up on me. no wonder i always felt those struggles in my christian life.
I must always look upon these scars of God's love to give myself strength to overcome my weakness and flaws. I mustn't run away from God thinking that im not worthy or something. Yes, we are indeed unworthy of His great love but what He wants really is for us to return back to Him, into His protecting arms. this is just like the mother wanting nothing, but for his son to return back into her arms safe and sound.
Some verses for edification (:
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1
