Friday, July 9, 2010

word of encouragement

I feel like i keep running into this topic everywhere i look, so might as well blog about it right? ;)

As women, we all struggle with our own insecurities. It can be something we've been insecure about our whole lives, or it can spring up out of nowhere. it's amazing that we can look at ourselves and play the mindgames and see a false version of ourselves.

I read this passage this morning and saw it in a new way.

Psalm 139:13-14
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

I pictured what Father must have thought or seen when He created me. Did he look at me and think "there's my litte runner! she's going to accomplish more than she ever dreamed!" or maybe he said "I love that she's shorter than most people, with brown hair, and blue/green eyes....my perfect creation!"

isn't it amazing to think that Father has already seen all of our accomplishments, knows our potential, and STILL looks at us as beautiful?? To think that Father looks at me and sees a runner he created...it blows my mind! it encourages me.

I never thought i would be a runner. i didn't think it was in me. But HE knew!!! He knew from the minute I was born that 2010 would be the year i discovered something He knew all along! It's like a constant gift I keep getting to unwrap. what else does Father have for me? who is he making me to be?

My fave part of the verse is at the end where it says "Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." does my soul KNOW that I am wonderfully made? is it a fact that i accept and believe wholeheartedly? do my thoughts line up with this verse??

Being married to Daniel has taught me a lot about our Father's love. Daniel always compliments me on my legs. He loves them.  Now my immediate reaction is to think "are you kidding me??? my short, vericose veins, toenail-polish chipped, chubby legs??? what could you possibly like about them?"

But Daniel continues to tell me that he loves them. i'll never really understand it, but it's easier to just accept it than argue with him and try to get him to see all of my bad points. :) He sees me in a way i have never seen myself. he sees good qualities that i didn't know i had. he affirms things that i'm unsure about. and as much as Daniel loves me, i know that it cannot compare with Father's love for me.

I was thinking about the day that we have children. i know that we will love our children no matter what and think they truly are the best kids in the world. how would I feel if our children constantly told me how ugly they were, that their ears were too big, they had too many freckles, they didn't like their athletic ability. to be honest, i would just want to say "get over it!!! you're perfect!!!! open your eyes and see who you are!!"
it would hurt me to see them struggling with things they believe make them 'less than.' i would want to do everything i could to show them how wonderful they truly are.

does Father ever feel this way about us? i imagine it's frustrating to see your own creation tearing down something wonderful that you made.

i was reading another blog and the girl was talking about some insecurities, then said "but then i realized i was kicking sand in His eyes." wow, what a picture and great perspective.

while i'm not advocating for more pride in our lives, i want to think twice before i tear myself down and take away from Father's creation. I need to just trust that He knew what he was doing with those vericose veins......   :)

I'd love to hear ya'lls thoughts!!


love
laura

3 comments:

  1. Wow, this is very eye opening! I was on the treadmill sweating and asking Him to give me the energy I needed to complete 3 more minutes. 3 more minutes turned into 60 minutes! He loves us for who we are and I must be honest I struggle with this. I will remind myself of your post next time I have negative thoughts about myself.

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  2. I think it's hard to look to God for that encouragement alone and not to other people. I struggle to be content with the way God made me but this is a great reminder that He doesn't make mistakes! Thanks :)

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