Scars in Heaven

It is hard for me to describe or even process all the emotions that I've gone through (and still do – to a certain extent, perhaps in a different way) as I cope with the passing of my parents – yet this song captures them all so beautifully. It almost feels as though this song is written just for me; and likewise, for many others who have been through similar loss.

The songwriter wrote this song after watching his own mum caring for her mum and dad as they passed away, within one year of each other. "There are these moments when we are suddenly very aware of their absence... the world seems quieter – you realize you're not gonna hear their voice again..."

My dad passed on in September 2014 and my mum in May 2015 – only barely 8 and a half months apart. Their passing was not something I could foresee coming, lest to say being prepared for. If I had only known the last time would be the last time, I would definitely have put off all the things I had to do. I would have stayed a little longer – in fact I wouldn't even have left their side. I would have held them tight, telling them how much I love them and how much they mean to me. I would have said our goodbyes for our time here on earth, and told them to wait for me until I return Home to be reunited with them and Jesus, for eternity.

But now I could only wish they could hear me from Heaven. I take comfort in the promise in Revelation 21:4-5 that where they are at now is a place free from death, sorrow and pain – And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Grieving the loss of a loved one is not easy, what more having to cope with two – the very two who meant the world to me. To say that my world collapsed before me is merely an understatement. No word could describe that pain inside.

People say time will heal the pain. That is completely untrue. No amount of time would ease the pain, but with time, we all learn to embrace and learn to manage our emotions better. Six years have passed, yet I cannot say I feel the pain any less, nor miss them any less. The memories are still as fresh. As I look back, however, I have learned to embrace the love and the fond memories they leave behind. At some point, I am able to talk about it openly and even smile. How do I even force a smile? "And the only hope is in something you've never seen. As believers, we have a lot of faith for ourselves, but sometimes it is hard to have faith for others, especially when we have never been where they are going – and all we have is God's Word to tell us...," expressed the songwriter, who is also a Pastor. He spoke about the last chapter in the book of Luke.

Jesus, having risen from the dead, appeared before His disciples, saying "Peace be with you." The disciples could not comprehend what was happening. They were frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. As Jesus spoke with them, He showed them the evidence – the scars in His hands and His feet. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (Luke 24:38-39)

The songwriter went on to say:

"When we lose someone, our only faith and comfort has got to come from the Father ... because all we see here is that we don't have them, so we've got to ask God to help us to release our ideas of where they are and start focusing on Who they are with now – they are with Jesus ... they are being held by the Hands that bears the scars."

To mum and dad – my only hope is to see you both again in Heaven, where there's no such thing as broken and all the old is made new. Between then and now, the thought that makes me smile even as the tears fall down, is that the only scars in Heaven are on the Hands that hold you now.

VERSE 1

If I had only known the last time would be the last time

I would have put off all the things I had to do

I would have stayed a little longer, held on a little tighter

Now what I’d give for one more day with you

VERSE 2

Cause there’s a wound here in my heart where something's missing

And they tell me that it’s going to heal with time

But I know you're in a place where all your wounds have been erased

And knowing yours are healed is healing mine

CHORUS

The only scars in heaven, they won’t belong to me and you

There'll be no such thing as broken and all the old will be made new

And the thought that makes me smile now even as the tears fall down

Is that the only scars in heaven are on the Hands that hold you now

VERSE 3

I know the road you walked was anything but easy

You picked up your share of scars along the way

But now you’re standing in the sun, you’ve fought your fight and your race is run

The pain is all a million miles away

BRIDGE

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, for the Hands that hold you now

VERSE 4

There’s not a day goes by that I don’t see you

You live on in all the better parts of me

Until I’m standing with you in the sun,

I'll fight this fight and this race I’ll run

Until I finally see what you can see.

By Casting Crowns

Watch the story behind the song here: