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Birch Bark Beauty

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Memories embossed

in paper layers

as life’s waves

rise and fall

while weddings

and funeral processions

march past

your peeling wall

You’ve borne battles well

leaving hints

of storms wrought

and wounds buried

under scars with

lessons you’ve

been taught

You’re a totem

for passersby

to read living lines of history

and to admire

one who has lived life

so completely.

Wendy/2012

Ian suggested I take pictures of this birch tree that resides on the lawn of our neighborhood church.  It is right beside the sidewalk which we walk on regularly.  Many people pass by it daily.  This tree’s scars are beauty marks. And when our battle scars are offered up to the Creator, they, too, become beautiful.  The most glorious and precious beauty marks are the scars on the hands of the Christmas Child.  He bore the guilt and punishment for all who will believe.

Blessings ~ Wendy

Now Thomas… said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it”… A week later… Jesus came and stood among them and said… to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe.”  Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

John 20:24-28 (in part) NIV