He Calls Me Beautiful

I am really bad a keeping a blog. I think about this a lot, and should post more often but between working 40+ hours a week and doing school work this gets pushed to the side. This post is a little different than previous ones so bear with me.

One of the things I feel bombarded with lately is my own self image. Things that run through my head include "I weigh too much", "I'm not skinny enough", "I'm not toned enough", "My hair isn't perfectly curled and situated just right", "I don't wear stylish enough clothes" etc.  This especially comes into play when thinking about being single. I often add into my thoughts "That guy wouldn't consider dating me because...". This is DANGEROUS thinking! All of those things I wrote above stem from the sin of PRIDE. I realize this more and more as I find myself struggling with these thoughts. That is right...it is pride, and not only that it is vanity! I'll be honest...I struggle with these thoughts EVERY DAY! As women we are bombarded with the picture of womanly "perfection" and "beauty". The reason we want to achieve this is for none other than affirmation...mostly from men.

As I struggle (it is a continual process), the Lord reminds me of a few things:
- He makes everything beautiful in its time! (Ecclesiastes 3:11a) 
- He doesn't look on the outward appearance, He looks at the heart!  (1 Samuel 16:7)
- He made me! He knit me together in my mothers womb, he designed my body the way it is and created me uniquely. (Psalm 139)
- Beauty in His eyes comes from a gentle and quiet spirit...not from braided hair, gold jewelry, or the clothing we wear. (1 Peter 3:3-4) 
- I am created in His image! (Genesis 1:27, Colossians 3:10) 
- I am loved! (John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:19, Lamentations 3:22-23) 
- I am valuable! (Matthew 6:25-34)

 I have to continually tell myself these things and repeat them over and over. I need to memorize these scriptures and hold fast to the truth of God's Word rather than the false claims of this world. It is hard to not let the shouting voices of the world overpower that truth. But I will continue to listen for the sweet whisper of my Saviors' voice telling me I am beautiful, I am loved, I am unique, and I am HIS!!

Always!

It's been quite a while since I've had time to sit down and write something for this little blog. It seems like school and work overwhelm my life some days. But anyway...here goes a thought for you.

I've grown up in church my whole life...literally! I've attended church since the Sunday after I was born (well maybe the second Sunday), regardless it's been a long time! I "know" how much God loves me, I know His love is infinite and unconditional. His love for me when He gave His Son up to die for me is unfathomable. But the other day I drove by a church with a sign out front that read "God always loves you". If I hadn't been driving I would have stopped in my tracks. It was one of those "mind blown" moments if you know what I mean. He always love me, not just when I'm doing good, not just when I'm glorifying Him, not just when I'm serving Him, and not just when I'm seeking His forgiveness. He ALWAYS loves me. Out of curiosity I looked up "always" in the dictionary. My dictionary defines it as "at all times, on all occasions, throughout a long period of the past, for all future time, forever"....wow!! I'm so glad that my Savior, always loves me!

He is Gracious!

I've been silent for a little bit. Not because I haven't thought of ways the Lord shows His love for me, but because I'm a full time nurse/full time student. My life consists of waking up, going to work, finishing work, doing school work, eating at least two meals somewhere in there, and sleeping.

Today I had a pure moment of understanding God's grace in my life. I have off today which means catching up on the little things that get missed throughout the week. I prepared dinner by first starting it on the stove which I had on low. I had put a pizza in the oven and when that was done I transferred dinner from the stove into the oven using my handy dandy pot holders. I then, naturally, laid them on the stove for when I needed them next and continued on with my day. I ate my pizza, took my dad somewhere. Before we left I checked the oven, I was smelling a very odd smell and thought it was the pan I used in the oven. Assured that it was fine we left and took about 45 minutes before returning home. The smell was much stronger so I again checked the oven. And then noticed the slight smoke arising from the stovetop. I had left the burner on low and was slowly roasting the potholder. I truly believe it is only by God's amazing grace that it didn't catch on fire while we were gone. For that I am ever grateful!

Sweet Nothings

Day 6: January 10, 2015

            He whispers sweet nothings! I have read one too many romance novels and watched way too many Hallmark Movies. I can tell that women cherish when a guy whispers sweet nothings in her ear to tell her he loves her.  I noticed a lot lately how the Lord does this for me. The other day while driving home form work the fields were scattered with patches of low-lying fog, it was wrapped around groves of trees, around barns and across flat stretches of fields. Today at sunset the clouds were wispy and purple, like the color of wisteria. These are things I love to see, and I believe that the Lord knows this. He even makes a “playlist” for me. Most of the time I’m in my car (which is a lot) music comes on that is perfect for me in that moment. He uses all these little things to whisper in my ear that He loves me.

My Protector!

Day 5: January 8, 2015

            He is my protector! After driving on snowy, icy roads this week I am glad that the Lord is my protector. Psalm 91:4 “He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” I have seen pictures of mother ducks, swans and geese with their babies tucked under their wing like the one above. It is such a beautiful picture of this verse and of how the Lord protects His children and how the bridegroom protects His bride. I am confident that He will protect me and cover me with His wings. 

He Holds My Hand

Day 4: January 5, 2015          

            He holds my hand! Call me a hopeless romantic, but I think that holding hands is a simple romantic gesture. I look forward to the day I get to walk hand in hand with the man God has already chosen for me. For now I need to recognize and remember that He is the one who holds my hand. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand….For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:10,13. It may not be romantic in nature, but He holds my hand and He holds me up. He walks with me, He will not leave me and He helps me. He will forever hold my hand, and not let go.

He Knows Me!

Day 3: January 3, 2015

            He knows me! I’ve been thinking about this the last couple days. I know that when I meet someone and get married I want him to know me. I want him to know my favorite color, what flowers I love, what my current favorite candy is, what makes me laugh and smile, what makes me cry etc. But the Lord already knows these things. He knit me together in my mothers womb, He knew me before I was even a gleam in my parents eye. He knows when I sit and when I rise, when I cry and when I laugh. He knows what to do to bring a smile to my face and how to encourage me. I’m always amazed at what happens in my day that can only be directed by Him because He knows me. One day I believe God will help my earthly husband know these things, but God will always know me best. 

 For you eformed my inward parts;

you fknitted me together in my mother's womb.

 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.1

gWonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

 hMy frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in ithe depths of the earth.

 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your jbook were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.

- Psalm 139:16 -

Puppy Love

Day 2: January 2, 2015

            He made Charlie (my golden retriever) just for me! I know it sounds crazy but my lovable, ornery, cuddly, friendly, energetic pup was made with me in mind. He is everything I asked for in a puppy. It amazed me that the little fur ball was still available at nearly 14 weeks old. He was the last of his litter and such a happy little puppy, though a bit mischievous. He was and is my much needed therapy dog and friend. Like a husband bringing a fluffy little puppy or kitten home to their wife, the Lord brought Charlie into my life and I couldn’t be happier.