Do you feel ugly? Stupid? Mean? Ridiculous? Unreasonable? Unwanted? Unloved?
You’re not. I always had a huge problem when people used to say things like, “Everyone is beautiful.” “You’re precious and special.” and “God loves everyone unconditionally.”
I couldn’t accept it. Part of me would nod, and think, of course, sure. But deep down I couldn’t and wouldn’t really believe it about me.
Because, I know me. I know how my forehead still breaks out when I’m stressed even though I’m 28. I know how my mind fills with selfish thoughts when I’m tired. I know how I still hide my candy bar under a book beside my computer so I won’t have to share.
And all that—that isn’t perfect, or precious, particularly special, desirable, reasonable, or loveable.
But motherhood changed something deep within in me, and I’m starting to experience a version of the love God has for us and the kind he would like to have for those around us too.
In my eyes my daughter is amazing, miraculous, and beautiful. She has imperfections that I can see and those around me see them too, but it doesn’t effect my love for her. And even though I know more about her than any person alive, to me she radiates with her own intelligence, her life carrying a precious and special energy that cannot ever be replaced. She is a being in the world that belongs and I could not live the same without her.
Can you imagine that love coming down on us from our God? Because it is the love of the father that He gives to us everyday. Even when we rear-end a car, say angry words, forget to pay the bills, and eat too much chocolate we still have a heavenly father looking down on us with love. He will guide us, shower us with hard truths, and discipline us always for our faults, but over it all is a never-ending love.
The love that makes us all beautiful.
You’re not. I always had a huge problem when people used to say things like, “Everyone is beautiful.” “You’re precious and special.” and “God loves everyone unconditionally.”
I couldn’t accept it. Part of me would nod, and think, of course, sure. But deep down I couldn’t and wouldn’t really believe it about me.
Because, I know me. I know how my forehead still breaks out when I’m stressed even though I’m 28. I know how my mind fills with selfish thoughts when I’m tired. I know how I still hide my candy bar under a book beside my computer so I won’t have to share.
And all that—that isn’t perfect, or precious, particularly special, desirable, reasonable, or loveable.
But motherhood changed something deep within in me, and I’m starting to experience a version of the love God has for us and the kind he would like to have for those around us too.
In my eyes my daughter is amazing, miraculous, and beautiful. She has imperfections that I can see and those around me see them too, but it doesn’t effect my love for her. And even though I know more about her than any person alive, to me she radiates with her own intelligence, her life carrying a precious and special energy that cannot ever be replaced. She is a being in the world that belongs and I could not live the same without her.
Can you imagine that love coming down on us from our God? Because it is the love of the father that He gives to us everyday. Even when we rear-end a car, say angry words, forget to pay the bills, and eat too much chocolate we still have a heavenly father looking down on us with love. He will guide us, shower us with hard truths, and discipline us always for our faults, but over it all is a never-ending love.
The love that makes us all beautiful.
You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.
Song of Solomon 4:7
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