You look at me
and see my flaws;
I look at you
and see flaws, too.
Those who love
know love deserves
a second glance;
each failure serves
another chance.
Love looks to see,
beyond the scars
and flaws, the cause;
and scars become
an honorable badge
of battles fought
and won—(or lost)
but fought!
The product, not the cost,
is what love sought.

* * *

God help us see beyond the now
to the before, and note with
tenderness what lies between—
and love the more!

 

Taken by permission from “Sitting By My Laughing Fire …” by Ruth Bell Graham. ©1977 The Ruth Bell Graham Literary Trust.