The Scars You Share

On a recent trip, I saw a lighthouse positioned above a rough and rocky shore line and was reminded of this amazing quote: The scars you share become lighthouses for people who are headed to the same rocks you hit. – Author Unknown

I don’t like to share the rocky parts of my life. Actually, I’m not particularly good at sharing any part of my life! I was raised to keep everything inside, so sharing, on most every level, is something I had to learn. It’s better for my mental and emotional health to “drop the veil” and open up to people. I finally realized how blessed I was by people sharing their stories, good and bad, with me. I found instruction, hope, and encouragement in the things they shared. Maybe sharing my life challenges would be helpful to other struggling souls.

I thought about the Bible passage that says, “You are the light of the world.” I always assumed my “light” needed to reflect only the successes in my life. As I read it again, I realized the light shines brightest when I show how God sustains me in difficult times. When I hit the rocks of life and crash, it is God who saves me. He is the one who gets the glory.

Most of us have physical and even emotional scars that are evident to others. People tend to ask about the scars they see. I’m learning to have the boldness to be a lighthouse that illuminates the rocks and rough places so they can avoid the hard places I’ve experienced. I pray they find hope and faith in God as they hear of His goodness.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)