You are Beautiful.

You're Beautiful.

I had the privilege of chatting with a sweet friend of mine recently... and I l hung up the phone knowing that it was going to eventually be part of a blog post. It was one of those conversations that made me realize just how much the devil is at work. Tearing homes apart, brewing sinful thoughts and deeds, and planting lies.

While insecurities about physical beauty so often in my brain seems to be one associated with junior high or fickle, self-absorbed teenagers... I realized once again the other day that this is not the case. It's real. It haunts girls, both young and old. So I spent some time with Jesus about it. Here's what He had to say to me through His Word.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

End. Of. Story.

This very well could be the end of the post, but as always, my mind is running, always swirling with thoughts for those I love.

Right now, as I'm writing this, I'm looking at the back side of my door, where I keep anything that inspires/encourages/challenges me~ quotes, notes, pictures, pieces of fabric (random, I know), projects the boys have drawn, and pretty much anything else people have given me that is "closet door stickable." I'd love to show it to you, because it's overflowing with wisdom and sweet words.
I especially wish you could see the pictures and letters from all of you. I have them tacked up all over. I have birthday cards, random encouraging notes, get-well-soon cards, and much more. I love getting mail. Whenever I get a letter or a note, or a card... I always get on FB to look at your faces. Just because I love you. and you know what I always think?
Beautiful.
Seriously.
I never looked as cute in my school pictures as you do. How do you do that?! And all you mamas out there, I seriously wonder how you do it! If I look half as cute as you all do someday, I'll be a happy girl.
Ironically, most of the girls I get letters from are girls who have felt un-pretty at some point. It's easy for me to open a letter, get on FB, and wonder what in the world is going through your brain when you think that. How could you possibly look in a mirror and not see how gorgeous you are? Sadder still, I have letters that detail the ways you've been made fun of, hurt, and picked on. I truly wish you each one of you were really here in person so we could get coffee and chat and pray together, because sometimes sending a hug to you virtually doesn't seem right.
So pretend we're in the swankiest coffee shop in town and we're hanging out, because as your unofficial big sister (or little sister, too!), there are a few things I think you should know about yourself. And if you already know them, I don't think it would hurt if you heard a bit of a reminder.
I have unruly hair and wear geeky glasses. I am far away from a size zero and have a not-so-nice complexion. Most girls get tan in the summer, I look like Bob-the-Tomato if I go outside without sunscreen. I'm the average height of most seventh graders and I hate wearing swimsuits as it produces some serious self-conscious tendencies........ The list could go on and on, because the longer I look, the easier it is to be critical about myself.
But when I sit and TRULY think about, LOVE invades my ordinary-ness. I read Psalm 45:11 this morning. Do you know what that says?
It says the King is enthralled by your beauty. Not just parts of your beauty, but ALL of you.
I love the image in Psalm 139 of God knitting us together in "the secret place." Long before anybody held you in her arms and fell in love with you, HE was in love with you. Every freckle and strand of hair and fleck of color in your eyes was intentional and beautiful to Him.
Every little personality quirk is all part of the fabric that makes you who you are~ a stand out, a one of a kind beautiful creation. I LOVE how Eugene Peterson says it in the Message~
"You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something."
You and I live in a world where beauty is a sad plastic imitation of the real thing. Real beauty is a thousand skin tones and languages, different smiles, personalities and hairstyles. Real beauty doesn't matter if you're wearing a frilly skirt and ballet flats or a basketball uniform. It has nothing to do with your jean size or your height.
It has everything to do with what He says about you. He says beauty is a heart place, not a physical place, and when He invades that sweet broken heart of yours, it is impossible not radiate beauty. I hope and pray that you'll look in the mirror and start to see what HE has said and affirmed in your life over and over.
He says that He loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). He says He's called you out of darkness and into freedom (Psalm 107:14)
You're not meant to blend. You're meant to shine like a bright star in the darkest night. You're meant to be unique and original. In other words, being yourself is beautiful.
I think I've finally made peace with how God has made me. While there are days when I wish I could see a different number on the inside of skirts or jeans, knowing He sees me as beautiful has helped me see it that way, too. Not in a prideful, puffed up way... but in a way that gives all the glory to the Creator. I know that all of my qualms, whether they're physical or emotional ones, matter to Him.

In a world full of plastic, I dare you to be beautiful. I dare you to let His love shine from your heart so bright the world can't help but notice.
You are desired.
You were originated in the mind of God; woven and spun into the leaving, breathing masterpiece you are.
Put simply~

You.Are.Beautiful :)

...and I love you so much!

~Lyss