We have all seen common things that have transformed into beauty. Hans Christian Anderson’s little barnyard bird suffered abuse and was called the ugly duckling, but became the most beautiful swan. The caterpillar crawls on the ground; and then takes to the sky on the wings of beauty.

“Do you have any identifying scars?” That was one of the questions that we had to answer at our induction into the military. It was a sobering question. Life on earth doesn’t come without scars. Most of us have a scar and a story to go with it; if not on the body, certainly on the heart.

We bury scars with talk of them being made new, but I wonder: being made new is not being removed, but made beautiful. I am talking about the scars that were made by sacrifices of love. The worn and calloused hands and hearts of parents who gave the best of their soul to their family, the bleeding hero who gave a life to save a life; and a long list of scars that came because of love for God and others.

One verse in the Bible describes what must be the most beautiful sight in Heaven. John saw “a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain (scarred), standing at the center of the throne…” (Revelation 5:6). Those scars were for you and me. They mean healing has come and reaches as far as the curse is found.

Jesus said to Thomas, “Look at my hands, touch my side and believe.” Are there people who have scars because they loved us? Perhaps it is time to appreciate those scars on earth that have come because of Love. How much sacrifice has been made for our wellbeing and happiness? How much have we taken for granted? Today is a good time to remember and be thankful.

“How happy are the saints above,
Who once went sorrowing here!
But now they taste unmingled love,
And joy without a tear.”