There once was a little girl, she was beautiful, as all little girls are. She loved people, she loved to give gifts and spend time with others. She was compassionate and she felt love deeply, sensitive and truthful in nature, never wanting to lie, even about the smallest of things. She was a real gem, she had big beautiful blue eyes, dark hair and pail skin, a real beauty! One day this precious little girl was lied to, it was a big lie, a terrible lie, and the worst part about this lie was that she, in her innocence and accepting nature, believed it. The lie went on and on, it was whispered to her at times and shouted to her at others. The lie was about her, about her worth, she was told that she was not good enough, she was too fat, not good enough in school, not smart enough and that she was not acceptable as a person. Believing that all of this was her fault, she tried to make it right, she was not very successful. She grew up and hid from the pain, Hid behind rebellion, friends, sex, and even drugs. Turning away from the remarks about her body, which to her was her worth, pretending she did not hear them while inside she was crying, hurting and embarrassed about herself. Inside she was still that little girl that did not understand why, on the outside, she appeared tough, she didn't care what others said or did, she was fun and cool, willing to be the one to do "bad" things, even though she knew better. Whatever she had to do to be accepted. She rushed through life and clung to anyone that accepted her, finding her worth in the people and things of this world. Believing that her worth came from the validation of others, she strieved harder and harder to please others and to please herself. Her best was not good enough for her, she could prove herself worthy of more, more love, more acceptance, more attention, she knew she was strong, she knew she could earn it. And then one day, she was tired. She was broken, and she knew it. As she grew more and found God's love to be real, true, something she could grab hold of, she began little by little to see herself in a different light. Perhaps her worth came not from this world? or even from people, perhaps, her worth was far greater than she had dared to imagine. REVELATION, Now she has a choice! does she go on strieving for more, for perfection, placing streneous and unrealistic expectations on herself and others, and again failing and watching others fail her? Does she live to create her own worth and then wait for others to validate her hard work and effort? Or, does she stop? Stop and wait, stop and trust, stop and listen to the truth about who she really is, who she was really created and intended to be since the beginning. I think the latter is the road less travled, it is the road that seems too simple, and yet it is the right road, it leads to self discovery, And more importantly it leads to God discovery, it's the road that God himself stands behind you and whispers in your ear "this is the way, walk in it" it's contrary to the worlds message isn't it? it's contrary to what we have always been fed, that we need more, better, bigger, faster, pleasure for ME NOW. This road is not bringing me pleasure, on the contrary it is a quite painful. I have shed many tears on this road, I have looked at many painful things, grieved them and glory be to God, released them. This is not the fun part of the journey, but the street signs say a new city is ahead, I believe it will be worth it, God is taking this brokeness inside of me, discarding the useless pieces and mending it, mending me, to be whole, to be radiant, spotless and pure, lovely and a real gem, in his eyes I have always been a real gem, and because of that he wants me to believe it too. How about you? have you been lied to? have you believed the lie? Redemption is a beautiful word, it is a beautiful action, it's beautiful because it is outside of our control, outside of our doing, God alone can redeem us he alone has the power to show us and validate our worth, our purpose, when these things happen then God alone show's you that he truly is the great "I AM"
Isaiah 61:3
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
