scars are souvenirs you never lose...John Rzeznik

I was looking at my face today. You know, getting ready to shave. Anyway, as I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I noticed the crescent shaped scar between my eyebrows. It's a continual reminder of the day I shot my brother-in-law's rifle for the first time. It was also the day that I was meeting a new church to talk about being their youth pastor. Who knew?

I have lots of scars, and each one has a story. The one on my ankle from the wipe-out on my bike on the way to school in 9th grade (didn't see the sand on that long, steep driveway.) The one on my forehead is from the kid in my neighborhood who displayed his displeasure at being "it" for the next round of hide-and-seek by clobbering me with a 2x4.

Scars stick with you, reminding you of your past. Some are visible for everyone to see. Many are under the surface, hidden in hearts, revealed only as relationships grow.

I am thankful that God is in the business of wiping away tears, healing hurts, and mending broken places.

Contrary to cliche, time does not heal all wounds. But healing is possible.

And yes, the church offered me the job. But no, I didn't take it.