you're beautiful

At our recent district youth conference, some of my girls and I had the pleasure of attending a seminar by former world-class model, Jennifer Strickland.  She wasn't just your hoe-hum department store model. 

She had made it.  Big. 

Jennifer appeared in Glamour, Vogue, and Cosmo magazines. 
She modeled for Armani,
lived in Milan.
She's absolutely gorgeous.

She shared the story of how she'd seemingly had it all.
She was living the ultimate dream---the one dreamed by so many young girls.
She had beauty, wealth, and fame,
yet as we've often heard, the modeling world is not what it seems.
The traps and snares were many,
and it wasn't long before she'd hit rock bottom.
From the depths of the pit,
God surrounded her with people who were able to offer the hope they'd found in Him.
And she gave her life to Christ,
wholeheartedly, no holds barred.

Today, Jennifer travels the world telling the life and forgiveness she discovered in Jesus.
She speaks truth into the hearts of women of all ages, reminding us what true beauty is all about and offering words of healing and hope.

Her seminar was good.  So good.  But it wasn't till the next morning when we got in line for breakfast that I realized that maybe my head knowledge still needed to take root in my heart. 

As we approached the breakfast line, I spied Jennifer and a couple of her friends up ahead of us in line. 

Immediately, I felt small. 
Less. 
Ordinary.
Frumpy. 

There was this internal battle raging within, and I determined there was no way I was getting in line, side by side, with a former world-class model.  I stalled.  I made small talk with my girls.  I stood back.  Way back. 

A few moments later, as I picked at my scrambled eggs, I was convicted.  Were my girls aware of the fight raging inside me?  I later told them.  But the question echoed loudly in my heart:  do I really believe all that stuff Jennifer had shared the previous day?  That I'm a daughter of the King?  His princess?

• Is He not my father, who created me, who made me and established me?  [Deuteronomy 32:6]
• He is my Father; I am the clay, and He is my potter; I am the work of His hand.  [Isaiah 64:8]
• I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.  [Ephesians 2:10]
• He knit me together in my mom's womb.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  [Psalm 139:12-14]
• God saw everything He'd made--and it was very good.  [Genesis 1:31]

Do you believe it, dear one, or do you, like me, sometimes question what God was doing when He created you?  No matter your age or stage in life, take joy in knowing and remembering and rehearsing what God says about you.  Listen to who He says you are.  If you know Him, you're a daughter of the King!  He compares you to no one; He's enamored with you.

The Lord your God is in your midst,

a mighty one who will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness;

He will quiet you by His love;

He will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

This is our God!  Isn't it mind-blowing?  Isn't it freeing?

Believe it, dear one, whether you're 17, 37, or 57:  You and I are made in the image of God.  His love isn't based on appearance or performance.  It's not based upon we do or how we stack up to that other mom who seemingly has it all together.  He loves us simply because we're His.  Believe it.  Take heart.  Rejoice.

Those who look to Him are radiant,

and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Psalm 34:5