New growth emerging out of scars
The plants in my kitchen window have scars.
The center of my kitchen boasts a 6×5 foot garden window surrounding a deep window seat. It’s a space full of natural light with a picture perfect view of our backyard. Easily one of my favorite spots in the whole house. And it’s the home for most of my plants. Many are gifts from friends and as I tend to them, I affectionately think about each particular friend and how I care deeply for that friendship. I’ve experienced such joy watching them thrive and grow over the last few years.
An unexpected disaster
One night this past summer, a crazy thing happened. A storm blew down a large branch and it shattered one of the panes of my lovely garden window. Those shards of glass fell right onto my plants, cutting into their leaves and breaking off pieces. Even permeating the rich soil containing them! One new plant that was gifted to me on my birthday (the day before the disaster) seemed damaged beyond repair. I was heartbroken.
In the days spent cleaning up the glass mess, I often thought of just getting rid of the damaged plants. I didn’t see a way they could be cleaned up or returned to health again. They looked so fragile. But, I couldn’t bring myself to chuck them in the trash. Within the week, I was meticulously tending to each plant. Shaking out the shards of glass tangled in its leaves and delicately picking out the pieces I could see sticking out of the soil. I ended up in full on intervention-mode: replanting every plant in a new pot with fresh soil.
Watering as needed.
Gently touching their damaged leaves.
Whispering words of encouragement.
And I waited.
And waited some more.
The appearance of scars.
Growth is slow. Healing requires time and patience. Three months after that shattered window and those damaged plants have developed scars, evidence of natural healing. But, they also show signs of new growth: bright green, shiny, soft leaves emerging above their scarred places.
These scarred plants remind me of my own life story. And your story too. Our scars aren’t easily noticed because likely, we don’t bear the marks on our physical bodies. They are the scars etched on our hearts. My scars? They are the marks of painful words said to me when I was a young girl battling the insecurities of weight, size, and body image. And scars of rejection that came from the hope of finding love. I carry deep scars from multiple miscarriages on my journey to becoming a mother. And wounds still healing from the pain of losing people that I loved deeply.
Take heart.
What is coming to mind as you reflect on your own scars? A friend recently reminded me that to be human is to experience pain. Jesus spoke this truth to his disciples in one of his final moments with them,
“Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows (thlipsis). But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT)
The greek word “thlipsis” can be translated with synonyms like affliction, trouble, tribulation, anguish, and burden. The root word references “suffering from the pressure of circumstances or from the antagonism of persons.” 1 My summary? All our painful experiences come from unwanted circumstances or from the relationships that exist in our lives. Those moments of pain leave us marked. Scarred.
But….take heart. Take heart that Jesus has entered into the storyline to bring you healing in places you thought might be forever damaged. God sends His spirit to remind us that all of this pain was never part of His original plan for us. His plan was that we would walk and talk with Him in the beauty of the garden. Sin broke that plan. And Jesus came to initiate the process of restoration. Someday His plan will be fully restored but today, we live with painful wounds that have scarred over. And, as God heals us, new growth rises out of those same places.
New growth comes as we wait.
Where have I seen new growth out of my own scars? I have greater compassion in my heart for women battling infertility or who are enduring grief after a miscarriage. My heart is tender toward friends who are figuring out life after the loss of someone they loved. I’m empathetic toward my daughters and younger women wrestling with body image in an age of constant comparison. This is new growth. It might even be a bit fragile or small but give it time. Time and patience. Tender care and nurturing. It will grow stronger.
As I look at my scarred plants now, I’m mostly captivated by how beautiful they are. Scars and all. Those scars tell a story about an unexpected shattered window leaving them torn, marred, and permanently marked. But….. not beyond repair. The leaves growing above those scars? They also tell a story. One that is about hope, restoration, and new life. Those stories can co-exist. Just like the stories in our own lives. Where joy mingles with sadness. Hope dances with sorrow. Healing grows out of pain.
It all happens as we wait. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14
1 Vines expository dictionary of NT words.