The Outside Only Tells a Piece of the Story

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It's not what you look at that matters. 

It's what you see. 

Henry David Thoreau 

I see her leaning against the outside wall of the restaurant, not appearing at all affected by the darkness looming in the long, deserted alley. Her short, fitted skirt and wisp of a shirt reveal her thin, under nourished bones. 

Battered by the slanderous words of her peers, she no longer knows the truth. She succumbs to the lies.

Worthless. 
Never good enough.

If only she knew her real value. She is valued. She is wonderful. She was purposely made and God has a plan for her life. 

"For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well."

Psalm 139:13-14

So often we are quick to made judgements on those we see living compromised lives. It's a matter of perception, but who am I to judge? It matters not where she has come from or what she has done. I can look at brokenness and see God's beauty. 

We each have a story to tell. And it is a good story. Some come from happy, functional homes having suffered little. Others are descendents of abuse and neglect. Choose grace. Do not look at the brokenness and forget to see the creation.  

"...The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

1 Samuel 16:

Until next time, LIVE FULLY, LOVE WHOLLY, REJOICE DAILY!

You Are Worth Fighting For

You are God's sweet girl.
You are His gem.

So often I forget these truths.

A tough break up, uncomfortable confrontation at work, nosy people asking why I am yet to be married and the like--situations the enemy uses to tell me lies. His schemes are always the same. Satan tells us we are not good enough. Not good enough to be fought for. Not good enough to be used by God. Not good enough. Period.

I refuse to waste away my short life believing his lies. I text my good friend this morning, asking for prayer to combat those lies. My conclusion is that Satan is a stupid jerk. How else can I describe him? Recognizing his lies gives me perseverance to put up a good fight. I will not give in and let him bring me down.

Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. (Romans 8:38-39)
I am God's chosen girl. (John 15:16)
He will continue the good work he has started in me. (Philippians 1:6)
God delights in me. (Zephaniah 3:17)

Every word of the Bible is alive and real. Every word of God is flawless (Proverbs 30:5). I choose to cling to His Word and forget the lies of the enemy. For God has chosen me to take part in his work, loving on His people, abiding in Him. He has forgotten my past and lays down the path for my future. My confidence is in Him alone.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for choosing my sisters as well. Please forgive us for idolizing things of this world and for finding our value in our appearance and performance. Lord, thank you for redeeming my past. I am honored to be your girl. You have carved your words on my heart. Thank you for your son and his sacrifice for my sins. I love you, Abba Daddy. Amen