Kelsey and I went to the
doctor because she sprained her foot. We
were waiting a LONG time, so we started taking selfies with my phone. Later, as I was looking at this picture,
something struck me.
See that on my
forehead? Between my eyebrows? Those are wrinkles. Wrinkles I never noticed. Sure, I’d seen the
ones around my eyes. But now between my
eyebrows?
Um. . .not OK.
Of course, this led me on
a trip to the store to find an affordable, yet reliable anti-wrinkle face wash/moisturizer/cream to deal with this
situation. I wondered how long it would
take to begin to help my wrinkles, which seemed to deepen the longer I looked
at them.
But then. . .
. . . the Holy Spirit reminded me of something.
My wrinkles tell the story
of my life.
Those lines mean that I
have the privilege of experiencing great love that set a smile so deep in my
heart that it could not help but beam across my face.
The laugh lines show the
amazing enjoyment and fun I have experienced with the amazing family and
friends God has given me.
Those wrinkles also show
signs of a furrowed brow. Because life
is hard. Because there are time when my
face has crumbled in tears of pain or sadness.
Sometimes my face has
hardened in anger or frustration. I have
fought long and hard for the people and things I am passionate about.
Those two lines between my
eyebrows remind me of all of the seasons of my life. And of the goodness of God that has brought
me through it all.
I realize my body carries
the other signs of living. The stretch
marks on my stomach are the reminder that my two beautiful daughters grew
inside my body.
The gray hairs that have
shown up in the last year remind me that “gray hair
is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life” (Proverbs 16:31 ). At least I hope that’s why mine are now
coming in gray! ;)
I
know that I am only 37 years old – and in the great scheme of life, that is not
that old! I am, God willing, less than
halfway through my life! But I will tell
you, I cannot do all of the things I could 10 years ago. My arms tire more quickly. My back gets sore very easily. I tire out at a much faster pace!
And as I see those
wrinkles on my face and the way my body has changed, I’m reminded that my heart
has aged, as well. It also bears the scars
of living. The wounds of death and
loss. The injuries gained from the pain
of living in a fallen world. The havoc
my own sin has wreaked upon the tender places of my soul.
But by God’s grace, those
scars are no longer gaping wounds. The
scars remain as the evidence of the healing work of God in my own heart. His miracle touch has changed me and made me
whole.
We live in a society that
does not value wrinkles, scars and disfigurement. Our world values youth and the look of
perfection.
But my lack of perfection
tells the story of a life I’m so grateful to God that He has given me.
I read a powerful quote a
few years ago:
“Do not regret growing
older; it is a privilege denied to many.”
Unknown
There is great privilege
as we age. We have lived through seasons
of life. Hopefully we are doing the hard
work of growing up, not just growing older.
Hopefully we are allowing God to work in us a heart of wisdom. Hopefully our wrinkled faces are giving way
to faces of men and women who are looking more like Jesus.
"Wisdom is with aged men, with long life is
understanding” (Job 12:2).
I pray that we can pass on
to others the hope that lies in Jesus.
That He takes the wrinkles of living, the scars of sin and brokenness
and brings healing and life that can shine brightly for His glory.