On one of my morning walks, as I was praying about the “Born to Bloom” readers, I felt a very strong sense that God wanted me to let women know that He sees them as beautiful.
The “message” brought me to tears.
That’s the way it is when God speaks.
Such simple words: “You’re beautiful.”
But when spoken from God to us, those words take on a whole new level of meaning.
God isn’t looking at our outside appearance.
He’s looking at our hearts.
For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b (ESV)
He is looking at who He created us to be.
That’s what He sees.
Always.
Even when we mess up, He loves us and sees us as His beautiful creations.
And I believe He asks us to see ourselves and others the same way.
“So stop evaluating Christians by what the world thinks about them or by what they seem to be like on the outside.” 2 Corinthians 5:16a (TLB)
Ever since God spoke those words into my heart, that scripture has become very alive to me. I know in my “inner knower” that God sees every single one of us as beautiful.
And He can help us to do the same.
Sometime later I heard a couple of songs with the same message. One of them was (is) “My Beloved,” written and sung by Kari Jobe
You’re My beloved, you’re My bride
To sing over you is My delight
Come away with me, My love
Under My mercy come and wait
Till we are standing face-to-face
I see no stain on you My child
You’re beautiful to Me
So beautiful to Me
I sing over you My song of peace
Cast all your care down at My feet
Come and find your rest in Me
I’ll breathe My life inside of you
I’ll bear you up on eagle’s wings
And hide you in the shadow of My strength
I’ll take you to My quiet waters
I’ll restore your soul
Come rest in Me and be made whole
You’re My beloved, you’re My bride
To sing over you is My delight
Come away with Me, My love…
I think God is trying to get a message across to us.
He loves us.
A lot!!
In fact, He cherishes us.
The definition of cherish from Oxford’s online dictionary is this:
To protect and care for (someone) lovingly: “he cared for me beyond measure and cherished me in his heart”
Synonyms: adore • hold dear • love • dote on • be devoted to
Oh, yes. God cherishes us.
And isn’t that exactly what we as women really want? To be cherished?
And He thinks we’re beautiful.
We’re His bride.
Recall the last wedding you went to and bring to remembrance the look on the groom’s face when his bride appeared at the end of the aisle.
That’s how Jesus feels about us.
That’s why he gave us the analogy of a Bride and Groom when he talks about Himself and The Church.
It’s hard to understand or grasp, but we don’t have to understand it in our heads.
We feel it in our hearts.
In our spirit.
And we know that it’s true.
Let the emotion of Jesus’ love for you wash over your soul.
See His eyes locked on yours and hear Him whisper for only you to hear in this intimate moment:
“You’re beautiful to Me… so beautiful…”
“Yes. You are loved, My princess.” (to me, she looks like she’s day-dreaming about her Prince and His Love for her…)
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
It’s Not How You Look, It’s What You See: Change Your Perspective–Change Your Life ~ Lisa Bevere
I Am: A 60-Day Journey to Knowing Who You Are Because of Who He Is ~ Michele Cushatt
You’re Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect ~ Holley Gerth
VIDEO INSPIRATION:
I read that this video was one of the most watched ad campaigns ever. It was put out by Dove Soap. It’s about how we see ourselves, and how others see us…and…well…it kinda just brought tears to my eyes…
And in this next video are declarations that women should hear…every single day…because they are true…
Serendipity
One day, I was doing that boring daily thing called “washing the dishes.”
It’s an opportunity to give thanks OR… to complain.
In my life it’s probably a toss-up between the two as to which I do more of.
{ Actually, I think that complaining would win in that contest. }
So…I designed some coffee mugs and one of them had the words “You’re beautiful” on the back. (Which, by the way, I’ve witnessed have a powerful impact on women!)
At the time of the washing of these dishes, I had a few boxes of these mugs, therefore I had seen “the message” quite a number of times. And I think the impact of it, for myself, had worn off a bit.
Then one day, the time for me to make my choice to give thanks or complain came around in its usual 24-hour cycle.
It was dishwashing time.
I have a very deep sink and I always need to let the water run awhile as I haphazardly drop utensils and a few larger items (usually glasses and cups) into the water.
On this day, one of those items was my own personal cup.
I walked away to gather some more dirty dishes on the counters behind me and when I came back to turn off the water, what you see in the photo was looking back at me.
The words on the cup were so perfectly framed, with the water level at just the right depth that I was sure that no one would believe me that I hadn’t staged this photo! But I had not!
I had “a moment” there at the sink with my mug and those words.
And I felt the impact again of seeing those words “You’re beautiful.”
It was truly as though I heard someone speaking them to me.
I smiled, gave thanks, (the words made my decision really easy this time!), and then I….grabbed my phone to take a picture to remember the moment!
I think we should be in our watchtowers looking for serendipitous times such as this.
I believe they are everywhere and can present themselves to us at any time.
Expect them today!
Oh, and remember: You’re beautiful !! So beautiful…
The other song I heard long after God spoke those words to me was this one by MercyMe. It was written for the daughters of the band’s members. Such awesome lyrics! I think this would be a great song to memorize and sing to yourself. Often!
Beautiful (MercyMe)
Days will come when you don’t have the strength
When all you hear is you’re not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart, they’d see too much
You’re beautiful
You’re beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You’re beautiful
You’re beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred
You are His
You’re beautiful
Praying that you have the heart to fight
‘Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you’ve held inside so long
They are nothing in the shadow of the cross
You’re beautiful
You’re beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You’re beautiful
You’re beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred
You are His
You’re beautiful
Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skies above
You’re the one He madly loves
Enough to die
You’re beautiful
You’re beautiful
In His eyes
You’re beautiful
You were meant for so much more than all of this
You’re beautiful
You are treasured you are sacred you are his
You’re beautiful
You are meant for so much more than all of this
You’re beautiful
You are treasured you are sacred you are his
LINK: Tilling the Ground: God Loves You