"You are beautiful, my darling. There is not a flaw in you."

Lately, insecurity has crept into my mind and consumed my self-image. Lately, I cannot break free from the thoughts of not being 'quite up to par'. 

I've been absorbing my surroundings and letting society determine my image  of beauty; my image of myself. 

How could I let this poison into my mind? How could you believe the lies the world is telling you... That beauty is wrapped up in blemishless skin & crystal blue eyes? They're all lies, but it's so hard not to doubt truth when these lies parade in the streets as bill boards, in the movies as sex symbols, and in our minds like idols. Miley Cyrus carelessly swings from her wrecking ball, as little girls around the world use her body as their standard of beautiful, she is wrecking more than she intended.  We constantly work to shape our bodies, trim our nails, and powder our nose as if what we do to the outside determines our legacy. But what we don't remember is that beauty to the eye never lasts, it grows old, and it gets familiar and then stale... Beauty on the outside expires. 

Prettiness is something we've all dreamt of as children. We've always longed to play that roll as the sought-after Princess. But what do they have, but beauty? They're always seeking that prince, that boy to give them the approval that they need for the story to be complete. 

You don't need to find approval in the world. I know someone who created you purposefully. He designed the curves of your body and the pigment of your skin like a masterpiece. He sees you and knows that he did an incredible job creating you. If you doubt your beauty, you offend His artwork. You my friend, are a work of art. Every morning when you wake, He sees you and says, "You are beautiful, my darling. There is not a single flaw in you." 

Hear this, girls. Walk this life with your head up, not afraid to show your skin, but more importantly not afraid to show real beauty. Real beauty blinds you. You know real beauty when you see it, it shine out your eyes and through your smile and in the sweet sound of your true words that reflect love and acceptance. It's astonishing; True beauty is found in love. Love for The Lord, that will teach you to love others & yourself. 

I want to encourage you beautiful woman, because when I see you, I am taken aback by your features, created uniquely for you, I'm floored by your engaging grin, and your attractive personality. You each enchant me, and remind me of what true beauty is, by the way you graciously handle yourself. You, are one of a kind. 

"This, this is about my own some-day daughter. When you approach me, already stung-stayed with insecurity, begging, 'Mom, will I be pretty? Will I be pretty?' I will wipe that question from your mouth like cheap lipstick and answer, 'No! The word pretty is unworthy of everything you will be, and no child of mine will be contained in five letters.' " - Katie Makkai

Truly // Sarah