Has Thou No Scar? by Amy Charmichael

Hast thou no scar? No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?
Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent, Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?
No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And piercèd are the feet that follow Me.
But thine are whole;
can he have followed far
Who hast no wound
or scar?
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When I first read this poem 12 years ago in college, I was so struck by these words that I immediately copied them down in my journal. It strikes me still. No one wants to suffer. But suffering comes. And when it does, what is our response? Anger? Fear? Depression?

Is it praise that we are more like our Lord?

"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3:7-11

With a whole heart

Now pregnant with child number four and already in love with HIM or HER, I have been thinking about a conversation I had with one of my sons many months ago. He was asking me who I loved best, which son (obviously hoping I’d choose him!). I told him that I loved all my boys the same but that wasn't a very good answer to him. He felt sure I had to have a favorite since he has a favorite everything. So I explained that when God put a baby in my tummy, it was like He also gave me a whole new heart for that baby so I could love each of my kids with a whole heart just for them. No one is loved more or less, they are loved the same-each with a whole heart.

While this isn't physically true, it somehow must be. It was amazing to me how much I could love my son Knox when he was born. There was never a cuter, smarter, stronger baby in the whole world. Until his brother Caleb was born. And then the same love, pride, and joy flooded my heart again. Yet it hadn't dissipated from the first time. And then those feelings flooded my heart yet again when Lucas was born.

So if my heart can be filled with a fierce and unyielding love, never emptying and yet filling completely anew, God MUST give me a new heart each time he gives me a baby.

But with each new heart He gives, I think God takes pieces of my brain to compensate....

Skatin' with the Oldies

Ok, I'm the oldie. I celebrated my 32nd birthday with some great girl friends last night. First, we dressed up like it was 1988. I chose to go with a Madonna inspired look. Think "Lucky Star" video. And my beautiful, creative friends did not disappoint. There was blue eye shadow flowing freely, leggings, leg warmers, cut off denim, enormous belts, enormous hair, side pony tails, banana clips, neon, and jelly bracelets. Someone even found their old Swatch Watch!! It was truly fabulous.
And then after cake and champagne punch (that I couldn't have because I'm pregnant. Oh, by the way, I'm 9 weeks pregnant.) I opened my gift-an exquisite COACH creation. It is a signature striped tote-brown signature canvas with white patent leather trim. So cute! Absolutely LOVE it! Thanks friends!
And then it was time to skate. We headed over to The Skate King for adult night and got our roller on! I was slower than normal as I protected baby Winkler (see above) but it was still a blast. Everyone was a good sport and although there were a couple of spills, we managed to leave unscathed. I was befuddled by the crowd there at times but...everyone has to have hobbies, right?!?!? We were treated to some great skate dancing, interesting choice of shorts length on one particular man, and mild sexual harassment from the 90 year old who worked there. All in all, it was everything I hoped it would be. And there are pictures to prove it.

Well, I loved my special night and I love my special friends who made me feel special. Thanks ladies! See you next year! 70's disco dancing anyone?