This One Small Life: A Prayer of Gratitude for Our Scars

silhouette of person standing with arms spread out in front of the sea at sunset. the sky is multicolored with oranges and yellows and reddish purples and some clouds.
God of creation,
I come before You
to offer thanks for my scars.
 
For those I can see –
gashes from childhood adventures
burns from some carelessness
stitches from healing operations.
 
And for those I cannot see –
seared by hot silences
torn by sharp words
etched by lost loves.
 
Some have healed
and are settled on my body
and in my memory.
 
Others still ache with a change in the weather
or sting from a careless comment.
 
I am grateful for them,
the signposts on my life journey.
 
My scars remind me
every day
of Your healing power
and the miracle
that has been
this one small life.

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