Real Beauty

Makayla,

There are going to be times in your life where you don't feel very pretty. There are going to be times in your life where you may even hate the way you look or the shape your body is. Let's face it, fashion and appearance reign supreme today. Advertising bombards us with ways to improve our appearance on a daily basis. I saw this video last week at church and thought it was an amazing reminder and something I wanted to pass on to you. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U) Our perception of beauty really is distorted. We are told by the world to focus on our outward beauty, but God calls us to work on our inward beauty. God makes EVERYTHING beautiful, including you & I, so who are we to put down His perfect work? I know it can be very hard to not compare yourself to those around you. I've never had the perfect body by the world's standards. Over the years, I've come to realize that God has made me in His own design and unique from others. Psalm 139 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. God knit you together in my womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Proverbs 31:31
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who feard the Lord, she shall be praised."

1 Peter 3:3-4
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornmen, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gently and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

1 Samuel 16:7
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

God tells us to take care of our bodies because they are His temple. We should eat right and exercise, but our appearance shouldn't become our focus. We shouldn't go to extremes. Here's 2 questions to keep that in check:
1.) Does my focus on my appearance take my eyes off the Lord?
2.) Am I more focused on my weight, clothes, or makeup than on God?

I know I can tell you over and over how beautiful you are! You have been told that by everyone since you were born...seriously...even strangers in stores & restaurants constantly tell us that! Just keep it in perspective and remember that God is an amazing artist and created you in His image. You are just the way you were designed to be. God doesn't make mistakes! Let me say that again, GOD DOESN'T MAKE MISTAKES!

My prayer for you is that you someday come to that place of acceptance and even thankfulness to God for designing you the way He did. I fully appreciated His work when you were in my belly, and I got to see pictures of you inside me. :-) I also pray that your focus is set on God & your inward beauty. That beauty can radiate out for all to experience God's love. I'm so thankful that God designed you inside of me. I am blessed. I love you more than you will ever know, my beautiful daughter!

Love,
Mom (not Mommy, as you will be older when you read this)


Here are the lyrics to a song I like:

Fingerprints of God by Steven Curtis Chapman

I can see the tears filling your eyes
And I know where they're coming from
They're coming from a heart thats broken in two
By what you don't see
The person in the mirror
Doesn't look like the magazine
Oh but when I look at you its clear to me that

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

Never has there been and never again
Will there be another you
Fashioned by God's hand
And perfectly planned
To be just who you are
And what He's been creating
Since the first beat of your heart
Is a living breathing priceless work of art and

Just look at you
You're a wonder in the making
Oh and God's not through no
In fact He's just getting started and... (chorus repeat)