We were recently at the beach with friends. It was the absolute best beach mini-vacation we’ve had well, probably ever, but that’s another story for another time. Today I want to tell you what a very bright 6-year old reminded me while sitting on the beach.
Our friend’s daughter is absolutely precious. Quite frankly, she is my favorite 6-year old. She is fun, spunky and has quite the fashion sense. She was collecting shells our very first day on the beach. She was picking out some absolutely beautiful shells. She would hand each one to me to put in the pocket on my chair. But first, we would intently look at each one and talk about what made that particular shell beautiful. Y’all, there were some gorgeous shells! Some were almost iridescent. Some nearly transparent. Others had multiple colors.
Then she brought her mom and me a thick, colorless, broken shell. We didn’t have much time to say anything before the most profound statement came rolling off the tongue of this precious child. She said “the broken ones are just as beautiful as the whole ones.” Whoa. Yes child, they absolutely are.
Friend, our heavenly daddy sees YOU just like those seashells. Maybe you don’t feel like the beautiful, multi-colored, perfectly whole shell, but to Him you are flawless. You are without blemish. You are perfect. Regardless of what your past may hold. Regardless of what yuck you are still holding onto. Regardless of what others say about you or how they treat you.
When He sees you on the “beach” He values you just as much and wants to “collect” you just the same.
Sweet friend, what are you holding onto today that you need to release? What truth are you pushing aside and choosing to ignore because you feel like your past is just too dark and complicated? Who are you allowing to control how you see yourself by the words they speak or the way they do or don’t treat you?
Can I share part of my story? For so many years I didn’t feel like I was worthy enough. That I carried any value. There were things spoken to me and over me earlier in life that I carried way to long. Untruths. Words so sharp they impaled my body like daggers. I carried them so long they grew on me…like an extra body part. They became part of my identity. It wasn’t until a traumatic event occurred in my mid-thirties that I actually began chipping away at that body part. I chose healing. It was a choice.
There is SO much more to share and I will. 🙂
You are tired. You are anxious. You don’t sleep at night. You are angry. You are physically sick. Sound familiar? Can I encourage you to choose healing? Friend, if you want connection to a counselor, please reach out. I have resources that I want to share. And I want to pray for you.
You are beautiful. Especially in the brokenness.
Warriors and Ashes 