Know Your Worth

You were not a mistake. God has a plan for your life. And though it sometimes seems that know one cares, you can make a difference in their lives.

Guys may come and go, but when you know your worth you won't hesitate to move forward because you won't settle for less than God's best for you. This doesn't mean you have to run whenever a guy is interested, but you can challenge men to a higher standard without needing to say a word.

"There is no need to be aloof or distant toward less-than-Christlike guys. If you simply have a sweet, cheerful confidence in the standard you are holding out for, it can cause a guy to stop and think twice about his behavior," (Eric Ludy via Authentic Beauty).

I admit that I often forget that I am valued and cherished. I begin to wish that I could be more bold. I wish that I could make people laugh.

But I forget that that's not how God made me. I am shy and hate confrontations. And I've never been witty with my words; I just say what I am thinking.

Does this take from my worth? Not in the slightest.

You are you, even if that doesn't always make sense. Even when you're not so sure yourself, who you actually are. Your identity is found in the One who made you; the One who saved you.

You don't need to pretend anymore, my friend. Please, for the sake of God's plans for your life, embrace who you are and walk in that freedom. How could you do what God's called you to when you're so busy trying to be someone else? I've heard it said that a girl who truly knows herself is a girl everyone else wants to know.

"So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows," (Matthew 10:31).

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To The World We'll Never Be Perfect, But Honestly, Who Cares?

I have a confession to make.

I'm not always happy. Sometimes I get a bad case of road rage. My hair doesn't look like this when I wake up and, for the record, girl's eye lashes are not naturally this thick. There are days I go without reading my bible, and sometimes I use the big stall, even though I'm not in a wheelchair. To the world I'm not perfect, and- shhh- you don't have to say anything, you aren't either.

Just thought I'd cheer you up.

But in all seriousness, is this not comforting? I'm not 'perfect.' You're not 'perfect.' We're all not 'perfect.' Are you picking up what I'm putting down? There are times that I feel like we put on some kind of façade, and for what? Approval? Do we have to be someone who isn't us, to be accepted?

I believe that if we were to allow the very essence of who we truly are, who God fully intended us to be, to shine forth, the world will see a light so bright and so appealing, and that our bond as sisters will grow stronger. Where Christ is, so will there be love. An unshakable true love, between sisters of Christ.

To the world we will never be perfect.

Did you know that, to the Big Man Upstairs, you are perfect. He formed you in your mothers womb. We are His master piece- His prized possession. Do you honestly think that a Man so perfect and so flawless and so full of love, could possibly create anything imperfectly? I don't think He can.

And if that's true, that's the most comforting of news.

"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).

Becoming Beautiful | The Creation of God

This week I'm doing a blog series on a workshop that I recently co-taught. Topic? Becoming Beautiful. So, grab a coffee and a bible, and get comfy.
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Now, I know there's a possibility that you don't see yourself as beautiful, but you're so wrong!

In the beginning God created the birds, and the trees, and the sun, and the water and He said that it was good. But us?

He created us in His image and likeness.

So if we were made in His image, and God is beauty, then we are identified as beautiful.

However, because sin entered the world, the purity of our hearts has been distorted. But Jesus conquered sin in our place, and that is where the "becoming" part comes in. We don't need to fight the sin, but turn from it and strive to become beautiful, receiving the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

Let us, once again, strive to have a heart like David.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well," (Psalm 139:14).

David praised God For who he was. He saw that the very workmanship of who he was, and how he was made, was the creation of God. And he worshipped God for it! Let us turn and look in the mirror and see the creation of God!

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience," (Colossians 3:12).

Now it's our turn. Let us strive to be more like Jesus- Jesus, who is beauty and created everything that is, and ever has been beautiful. Let the creator of all that is beauty, come into our hearts and shape and form us into the woman He created us to be.

Becoming Beautiful | God's view

In a culture that teaches us that outward appearance is the only way to be beautiful, we stand to put to death the lie that body image equals beauty. This week's series is Becoming Beautiful, and that is exactly what we are going to do. 

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"But The Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the thing people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but The Lord looks at the heart,'" 1 Samuel 16:7.

We know what the world looks at. But God? He's not concerned with our looks. What He cares about is out hearts. David had the right mindset. After all, he was considered a man after God's own heart.

"Search me God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Se if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way of everlasting," Psalm 139:23-24.

God is the only one who knows our hearts. He knows it even better than we do. He wants to create in us a beautiful heart, but this comes with time.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2.

The word "transform" actually means metamorphosis. When a Caterpillar goes into a cocoon, there is a desperate struggle that takes time. But because of that struggle, there is a marvelous transformation from a Caterpillar into a butterfly. Sometimes we need to be broken so that God can form us into the beautiful woman that he intended us to be.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of fine jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight," 1 Peter 3:3-4. 

Beauty fades. Have you ever met a girl that was insanely beautiful appearance-wise, but had the worst attitude? Personally, I wouldn't find that attractive. I'd probably even be a little scared to tell you the truth.

And when it's talking about  a gentle and quiet spirit, I've come to believe that it's telling us not to let our minds become so loud that we can't hear the voice of God. Within my busy days I sometimes am completely distracted from God. I stop listening for Him, and let me tell you, my busy day goes downhill the moment I take God out of it.

When He is insanely present in my heart and throughout my day, I become more sensitive to His Spirit and the things He wants me to do and where He wants me to serve Him. Those are the best days.

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone," (Sam Levenson).

Now look at this image! In my opinion, this is something that is wonderfully beautiful, and I don't think I'm the only one who feels that way. My step-mom has lung cancer and had to go through chemo and radiation. The effects of this erased her hair, eyesbrows and lashes, and bruised her nails. But she is the most beautiful woman I've ever come across!

Everyday after school or work, she'd ask me how I was doing. She's always concerned about others even after a draining process of chemo. She has her heart set on God and others.

Somehow the essence of the heart shines forth from your life. Whether it be with good or bad, is your choice.

Becoming Beautiful | What The Guys Think

This week I'm doing a blog series on a workshop that I recently co-taught. Topic? Becoming Beautiful. So, grab a coffee and a bible, and get comfy. These are some Godly guys that I know, and it's important for us, as young ladies and followers of Christ, to understand that not every guy out there is a jerk looking for what's only on the outside. They want a girl with a good heart.
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Becoming Beautiful | Body Image

This week I'm doing a blog series on a workshop that I recently co-taught. Topic? Becoming Beautiful. So, grab a coffee and a bible, and get comfy.
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What do you think beauty is? Our culture would say things like: long hair, straight teeth, and a nice figure. Attitude-wise, I'd say we've been accepting the idea that an independent, strong (sometimes bratty) women is desirable. It almost feels like a lie we're pretending to believe when, as believers in The Lord, we know its not true.

I've come to believe that even the culture subconciously knows it's not true. We're all looking to be fulfilled, thinking beauty must surely be the only way to be happy (that's what the culture is telling us), but it's not working. We're still searching for answers.

You feel like, well, since I'm still not happy, there must be something wrong with me. I must not be pretty enough, or skinny enough. The culture is telling us that Body Image = Beauty.

But there's another way.

Now, let me ask this : Is it okay to strive to be beautiful?

The answer is YES! God created us as beautiful, and God is beauty. So in our hearts, what we're really striving for is God!

And that is, by all means, an okay thing to do. But the question now is, how do we strive to become beautiful in a way that we are fulfilled by God?

I'm so excited to show you these next couple days, what I've been learning.

Becoming Beautiful | New Series

As you may already know, I co-taught a workshop at the Becoming Girl Conference in January. Our topic was Becoming Beautiful, and it is something I've recently become very passionate about. This culture has framed the way we see beauty, and we are constantly trying to live up to everyone's expectations. Turns out, to the world, we'll never be good enough.

In this series we'll talk about:

Tuesday: Our cultures view.

Wednesday: Video | What the guys think.

Thursday: God's view.

Friday: God's beauty and our hope.

I'm really excited about this, and I hope from this blog series you are somehow encouraged. This world better watch out, because this week we're becoming beautiful.

Becoming Beautiful | Journey Into Speaking

Wow! I finally have an hour to myself! I don't know about you, but my schedule has been insane.

About a month ago, I was asked to co-teach a workshop at the Becoming Brave Conference. Oh, and the topic? Thanks for asking:

Becoming Beautiful.

In no way did I feel qualified enough to speak on this topic, because for one, I'm only seventeen. And for two, this is stuff I struggle with myself. We really had to dig deep into what it really means to be beautiful, and it's completely put me in check.

At first, I didn't want to speak. I thought people wouldn't listen to someone their age. Maybe they'd think I thought I knew everything (which I definitely do not).

So, I just thought I could help JoAnna get stuff together and then let her speak. But you know what happened?

I opened up my bible and I believe God was speaking to me.

"Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city," (Acts 18:9-10).

God's been growing me like crazy lately. I spoke on the topic at a bible study, and I know I'm not the best speaker. I stutter and loose my track of thought, but if God speaks even to one person through me, what I've done was worth it.

I want to do the things The Lord wants me to. Most of the time, the things he asks are scary- really scary (or so I've noticed)- but completely worth it in the end. Let's become brave and do something. I need to learn to see the opportunities God places in my life, and then act on it.

Listen to Paul's words:

"I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me  that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task The Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace," (Acts 20:23-24). 

Be brave and listen to the voice of the One who calls you daughter.