A SOUL ON FIRE scene that reminds us scars are proof of healing, not signs of brokenness.
At a speaking event last week, someone asked me a question I’ve been asked many times since the release of SOUL ON FIRE:
“What scene from the film moves you the most?”
It’s a difficult question because there are so many.
I think of the scene where my siblings see me moments after the explosion and the fear, confusion, and heartbreak on their faces.
I think of Dad standing beside my hospital bed, telling his little boy that he loves him and there’s nothing he can do about it.
I think of Mom kneeling in the chapel, praying that somehow, against overwhelming odds, her son might survive.
I think of the scene where he finally builds up the courage to ask Beth on a date, wondering if he’s enough and if anyone could ever look beyond his scars and see his worth.
But the scene that moves me most is when little John is standing near a swimming pool with other kids shortly after coming home from the hospital. The sun is shining. The kids are laughing. They’re wearing swimsuits and having a blast.
John sees the other kids with no physical imperfections, then looks down at his scarred arms. He then quietly walks back upstairs, takes off the swimsuit, puts on a turtleneck, pulls the sleeves down, tugs the collar high, and does his best to cover up what he believes is broken.
That decision cost him the freedom to play with those kids that day.
And for years, it robbed him of the freedom to love the image staring back at him in the mirror.
I hated looking different. So, I covered up. Not only my scars, but also my story.
And the truth is that most of us know exactly what that’s like. Maybe we don’t wear turtlenecks in July, but we all cover up.
We hide our failures. We conceal our struggles. We mask our imperfections and try desperately to appear polished, successful, strong, and put together.
Yet the older I get, the more convinced I become that what draws us to one another is not perfection. It’s authentic, humble vulnerability.
It turns out our scars do not diminish our beauty. They reveal our healing.
The scars exist because the wounds have closed and the very thing we are most tempted to hide may be the very thing someone else needs to see.
Your scars. Your struggles. Your story.
This week, instead of covering up, what if we showed up a little more honestly and a little more authentically?
What if we stopped viewing our scars as proof that we are broken and started seeing them as evidence that we have healed?
Because the people who inspire us most are rarely the ones who appear perfect, but the ones brave enough to be real.
They are the ones who recognize that the scars are not signs of what happened to them. They are proof of what they overcame.
Today is your day. Live Inspired.
18 replies on “Turtlenecks in July”
There were so many scenes in the movie that impacted me! But, one of the scenes that stood out with me the most was when John asked Beth out on a date & she said that they were just good friends now. Then, she asked him why he didn’t ask her out the first night they met & he said, “I figured you wouldn’t want me to.” And then he held his hands up & the look on his face just broke my heart. But, after that, you could tell Beth was falling in love with him. Everything about the wedding was amazing! When she told John, “I chose you!”
So good!!
Thank you so much for sharing your story
John O’Leary! You are so blessed with a beautiful family!
I feel so lucky to have met you!
You are loved so much & such an inspiration to everyone that meets you!
This was so inspiring. Everyone basically has a testimony to share which in turns encourages someone else. By the way, you are a truly inspiration.
The entire movie impacted me the most. Every part of your story, John, reminded me of something that someone close to me or
I have gone through or was currently going through—not the physical burns and scars so much as the emotional burns and scars from very painful life experiences. In many ways I felt like a “Mr Buck” for a work friend who was going through a period of painful healing at the time I saw your movie last fall. I cried throughout the whole movie, and at times was outright sobbing, because so many scenes reminded me of how he impacted my life in profound ways and how I believe so strongly in the potential of this young man, when he wanted to just give up on life because everything hurt so bad.
In some ways he and I are still “wearing a turtleneck” afraid to truly be ourselves and live life to the fullest. I pray for my own guidance from God and for my work friend constantly because I believe God has profound purposes for both of us if we would be brave enough to take off the turtlenecks and stick our necks out to share our stories to help others heal.
John, Thank you for sharing your story about vulnerability. Being able to share our vulnerability is how we get healed. Each Monday Story I have read has truly been inspiring.
Thank you for all that you share with us.
When you see Nurse Roy again for the first time as an adult…brings me to tears.
The scene that impacted me the most was when John did not visit Jack Buck in the hospital, and how that regret stuck with him for years after Jack passed. That scene spoke to me just last week when I was notified by the daughter of a beloved teacher/coach who was given days to live. The teacher/coach was someone I had stayed in touch with since graduating from high school 35 years ago. He was not only my teacher and coach in high school, but a God man I deeply respected, admired, and loved like a Brother in Christ. So when I was notified he had days to live, I immediately stopped what I was doing, left my house within 30 minutes, and made the three hour journey to visit him. My heart was full of joy when I arrived at the hospital and entered his room. Not sure whose smile was bigger…his or mine. For the next two and a half hours, we talked, laughed, cried, and enjoyed EVERY moment we had together. Our visit ended with a prayer, a HUGE hug, and a reminder that we would see each other again in the next life. I was sad when my dear friend passed the next day, but I had peace knowing he was with God in Heaven. I am thankful John was vulnerable and open to sharing his life regret in the movie about Jack Buck. It reminded me to do what is important, and to make the most out of the moments we have with others.
The whole film was so moving hard to pick one scene. It was particularly moving to see your family’s actions/response. Your little sister getting water to splash on your face was seeing an angel in action. Your parents strength – how they held expectations like playing piano to push you forward in recovery. And of course Jack Buck – a side of him that was wonderful you shared
What impressed me the most is the importance of living one day at a time, especially in times of crisis. If we dwell on the past, we get depressed. If we worry about tomorrow we get anxiety attacks. So, wherever you find yourself, give it your best shot! Just like you did John.
I saw the film a few weeks ago and loved it. I was awed at your story and what God has done in your life since that horrible day. Two scenes impacted me. The first was of your little sister pouring the water on your face and making 3 trips into the burning house to fill the glass with water. The other was what your dad said when he got to you in the hospital. Well, maybe there were more scenes! The doctor pointing out that the janitor was the one responsible for your recovery and Nurse Roy insisting that you would walk again. I have told absolutely everyone about your story and the film. I am currently reading the book. Thank you for allowing God to use your life and your story to inspire and encourage others.
I watched Soul on Fire last Saturday and I was crying. Loved that movie thanks for sharing your story.❤️❤️
Thank you for this insight today!!
I loved Soul on Fire and have made it a must see for members of my Rock Steady Boxing support group.. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease over 3 years ago at age 79 and have not allowed this diagnosis to stop me from my optimistic outlook on life. PD is only a disability if I allow it to be.thank you.
My husband and I heard you speak at a bank convention years ago. I finally got to watch the movie with my daughter. What moved me then and now was when you played the piano. It also moved my daughter and me when your new bride saw all your scars for the first time and let you know that they weren’t what mattered. I have loved your newsletter since the convention. Your messages bring light to our world. Thank you!
This is absolutely nothing like what you endured, John, but I got a sunburn so bad this weekend that I have very large blisters on my legs. The blisters didn’t hurt very bad, so I nursed them and covered them. This morning, when I went to take those dressings off, the entire skin under the adhesive tore off along with the adhesive. That was incredibly painful! I can only imagine how you, as a young boy, withstood those dressing changes – every day! Praise God you had a great support system.
That is what gets to me most about the movie. It’s not a single scene, but all of the people who supported and loved you through it. When you left the hospital and everyone lined the halls cheering, that was icing on the cake. You were very important to each person there, and because of that, they loved you through the experience. And, hopefully, your strength (through God) had some affect on their own lives.
So many scenes were moving but the scene when you talked to your Dad about your regrets for not visiting Jack Buck was so profound!
I tried just this the other day with my 14 yo grandson….his first HS hockey game…he was excited, but nervous! He was amazing! He scored his first HS goal!! To him – the worst game he ever played! He had new skates…he lost his edge and felt he skated terribly. When the game was over (they won – he got the winning goal) he focused on his awful skating . I said to him…”you did great – you overcame the problem with your skates , adjusted your skating and won the game for your team! Try to focus on your achievements and not the bad…you overcame your problem! I was one very proud VaVa (grandmother in Portugese). I told him that overcoming a setback , a problem, is what defines you – how you handle them builds your character!!
It had so many moments that impacted me. So much pain yet such determination in your struggle to heal. The tender love of your male nurse. The baseball announcer who continued to root for you. Your youngest sister getting glasses of water, your dad’s unwavering love not to mention the strong family love. It was a beautiful and heartfelt movie.
What a beautiful testament of how scars in our life can defeat us or turn our lives to something positive. Watching your movie and hearing you speak has been life changing. Keep the faith and keep sharing.