Here’s the next installment of “Melodies with Meaning,” where our columnists tell you about some of their favorite spiritual songs. Today, we’re hearing from Sister Dianne.

“Hi Dom!” I say as I excitedly walk through the door of the hair salon.

“Hey Di! How are you doing?” Dom says looking up from the cash register. “Look at you; you are overdue!”

“I know, it’s beginning to grow like it used to!”

As I sit in the all too large shampoo chair, I remind Dom that he can’t massage my head like he used to. I miss the relaxing massage, but things are different now. The truth is, I’d rather have the 5-inch scar on my head than enjoy those few relaxing moments.

“You have good hair,” I recall the neurosurgeon telling me six months earlier.

“Good hair? And that’s supposed to make this an easy decision? I am NOT having surgery!” I say vehemently as I had several times over the years. I admit that part of my fear was spawned out of vanity, as I viewed images of shaved heads and scars on Google. My other fears were that I wouldn’t survive the surgery, that it wouldn’t work, or that it would maim me.

But as has happened many times in my life, God had other plans. Something changed in my mind a few days following that conversation with my neurosurgeon. The ”something” was a peace that came over me. This peace gave me the courage to say to the neurosurgeon, “Tell me more about the surgery.”

As I write this blog six months later, I am thankful beyond words that I have this scar on my head that will never go away. This scar is physical evidence of how my life changed when the surgeon cut through my skull, a cut that ultimately released me from the physical and mental prison that I lived in for many years.

When I first heard the song, “Scars,” I began to weep. I thought about the scar on my head. I thought about events in my life, both as a child and as an adult, both physically and mentally. These scars have shaped me into who I am today. Throughout my life, Jesus has been with me every step of the way. Every time I was bullied, spit on, pushed down, mentally abused, and more, He came to my rescue. He picked me up, touched my scars, and sent me on my way, all the while staying by my side for the next time.

There would and will always be a next time, but Jesus was and will always be by my side.

As you read the lyrics below, if your scars are fresh, or if you have to search deep into the crevices of your mind, think about times in your life that have left you with scars, physically, mentally or both. I venture to say that none of us are scar free. We live in a world that is not always kind and loving. But we serve a God that is always kind and loving.

Are you able to look deep enough to see your scars? Do you like who you are today? If yes, then celebrate the fact that you have allowed God to shape and mold you into exactly how He wants you. If you don’t like who you’ve become, then consider getting on your knees and asking God to allow you to see how you can use your scars to better yourself and better serve and glorify Him.

But as deep as your scars and my scars may be, the most important scars are the ones that Jesus received when he was crucified. The scars of Jesus have allowed us to find salvation and to live in eternity with Him. My scars are nothing compared to His.

“Scars”
Written and performed by I Am They

Waking up to a new sunrise
Looking back from the other side
I can see now with open eyes
Darkest water and deepest pain
I wouldn’t trade it for anything
‘Cause my brokenness brought me to you.
And these wounds are a story you’ll use

So I’m thankful for the scars
‘Cause without them I wouldn’t know your heart
And I know they’ll always tell of who you are
So forever I am thankful for the scars

Now I’m sending in confidence
With the strength of your faithfulness
And I’m not who I was before
No, I don’t have to fear anymore

So I’m thankful for the scars
‘Cause without them I wouldn’t know your heart
And I know they’ll always tell of who you are
So forever I am thankful for the scars

I can see, I can see How you delivered me
In your hands, in your feet I found my victory
I can see, I can see How you delivered me
In your hands, in your feet I found my victory

So I’m thankful for your scars
‘Cause without them I wouldn’t know your heart
And with my life I’ll tell of who you are
So forever I am thankful…

So I’m thankful for your scars
‘Cause without them I wouldn’t know your heart
And I know they’ll always tell of who you are
So forever I am thankful for the scars
So forever I am thankful for the scars

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.