When asked, I'm the first one to admit that I'm not the loveliest person on the face of the earth. My eyes are too small, and my nose is too big, my ears always seem to stick out of my hair like some kind of elf, and my whopping '5"1 height is far from supermodel status.
Pretty much everyone can find at least a few physical traits that they wish they could change. But why? When we look in the mirror all we can see are commercials flashing before our eyes along with that cheesy selling voice raving all about products that are guaranteed to make you more gorgeous: "This new shampoo makes your hair radiant!", "Wear this new lipstick and you'll be beautiful!", "Shop from our clothing store and you'll be loved everywhere you go".
Radiant, Beautiful, Loved.....Such wonderful words. Meaningful words. And we pass them up for ourselves to describe soap? ...Please.
Did you know that somebody has already used those words to describe you?
~Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalms 34:5)
~He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
~The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3)
See what I mean? You are radiant when you seek God's will, not because you buy new lip gloss. You are beautiful because God made you. You can never NOT be beautiful, because you are His. And you are loved, not for what you do, but for who you are! It's kind of tremendous if you really think about it. :) You are always loved, and pre-designed to be lovely.
So the next time you look in the mirror, do yourself a favor and tell yourself the truth. You're gorgeous...and that's a fact! :)
It's crazy how ingrained the world's view of beauty gets into our heads. It took me a VERY long time ('til I was around your age, I believe) before I finally realized that God values me, and it doesn't matter what everyone else thinks. I started to finally see myself as beautiful, not in a prideful way, but in a God-loves-me-so-much way. :)
ReplyDeleteAll the features you mentioned are things that make you who you are... and to your friends, those things about you are beautiful. I'll have you know that in the relatively short time I've known you, I've had at least three friends refer to you as an angel. :) People don't say that about just anybody, so you must be doing something right.
Love you, friend.
-Jenn
Erin, you're perfect the way you are. :)
ReplyDeleteThink about your friends. You know how beautiful you think they are? How talented, how lovely? Ever heard the phrase "birds of a feather flock together"? :) People love to be around you; they love to talk to you. You're a ray of sunshine and a breath of fresh air.
I freaked out a lil when you decided to leave facebook (I know you have good reasons, though). I freaked because you were so positive and inspiring. Your encouragement means the world to people, and your smile is a dream come true to some. God thinks you are radiant as well: and He thinks He crafted your nose, eyes, and ears just right.
You know, it's the funniest thing. The features I hated the most about myself seem to be some of my husband's favorites. I have a feeling that whoever God has lined up for you will feel the same way. :) You are as much a blessing to us as we are to you. :D
Erin, there's someone other than God who thinks you're perfect, just the way you are. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Jenn,
ReplyDeleteYou have to be the most encouraging, uplifting friend on the face of the planet! Thank you!! God is doing amazing things through you! :)
Hope to see you soon! :)
Haha! You are too sweet... it's easy to be encouraging to people as kindhearted as you are. :) Love you, and I hope to run into you too. :D
ReplyDeleteYou are way better than any supermodel, Erin... Everything Jenn has said here is true.
ReplyDelete