FITS 2010-Padre Rescued (flashback)

I wrote this a long time ago when I was away at my church Summer camp. I recently found it in a journal and thought I would share it because this is something I struggle with constantly.


Working at the church nursery, I have the privilege to take care of toddlers. One of my favorite times to experience is when a child has painted a picture and they want to show you. "Look teacher, look", they say(they always have trouble remembering Ms.Alex). I take their picture from their small hands. I smile. Even though most of the time, I have no idea what I am looking at, I look down at them and say,"That's wonderful! The best painting I have ever seen." The child's face lights up and he/she continues to create other works of art.


During the few weeks leading up to this trip, I would simply find time to stare into my reflection in my bathroom mirror. I would just stand there looking at myself. I wish my eyes were prettier. I hate my thighs. I need to do some sit-ups. My ears are so weird. I really need braces. I wish my skin was clear. I could just stand there putting myself down over and over. I don't exactly know why but everyone does it. Females do it all the time. It doesn't help or make anything better. I simply feel that everything about me is just not good enough.


So...what if I took a painting from a little boy and instead of positive feedback, I say, "Oh gosh, this is horrible! Too much red here. You need more color over there...and what is that random blob in the middle? This is the worst painting." Imagine his crushed self-esteem.


Now, think of God being the young boy. I am his painting. He created me. He thinks I'm beautiful and he is proud of his work. By, putting myself down, I am putting my Lord down. I'm insulting his most beautiful creation. I am his masterpiece and I don't want to be insulting his work.


Thanks to my week at my camp and everything God is doing inside of me, I have realized something. I should always be striving to make God's face light up. I can easily do that by praising his creations. I am beautiful and perfect to my father. I am his little girl.He loves me and that's really all that matters. I need to look in the mirror only to thank God for all that I am and for what I will become. I should also be telling my friends how amazing they are and that I am happy God created them. They are also his creations. I hope to bring this all back home in my daily life. I hope that I will continue to light up God's face.