Category: friends and loved ones

life with my loved ones

friends and loved ones

my scarf

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I have a scarf.  Gray, with a light blue and green plaid – its beautiful and so soft cashmere.   A Christmas gift from my mom last year, it matches my blue winter coat and my gray gloves.  Its been unusually cold this November so I’ve already worn it twice.  I’m so glad to have it to keep me warm.

I’m looking forward to wearing it when we visit my parents in January.

Not only does my scarf keep me warm physically, it brings me happiness.  When I put it on I’m reminded of special times with my family in Michigan last winter; walks with my mom, sledding with the kids, trips to the mall, you get the idea.

Often I go through seasons of winter, where the cold winds of loneliness blow harshly on my heart.  I struggle with being so far from my family and loved ones, longing to be with them.  But instead we are separated by many, many miles.   Holidays and birthdays, piano recitals and soccer games – we spend without them.  And I feel as though we are missing out on so much of each others’ lives.

When I first moved here, I came on an adventure.  I was taking a break from school. I wanted some new experiences, new friends.    My plan was to work a year or two and head back to graduate school.  I had no idea that I would end up marrying my wonderful husband and staying here – so far from my roots.

Now, as I live and move through life, I look for things to warm my heart and take the edge off of the cold. Truly I do know that I am in the center of God’s will for me and that is what fights the chills of sadness the best.  But, recently I had a conversation with a friend, who pointed me to a poem (thank you Amy!):

The Envoy

by G.K. Chesterton

“Clear was the night, the moon was young,
The larkspurs in the plots
Mingled their orange with the gold
Of the forget-me-nots.

The poppies seemed a silver mist,
So darkly fell the gloom.
You scarce had guessed yon crimson streaks
Were buttercups in bloom.

But one thing moved: a little child
Crashed through the flower and fern
And all my soul rose up to greet
The sage of whom I learn.

I looked into his awful eyes,
I waited his decree,
I made ingenious attempts
To sit upon his knee.

The babe upraised his wondering eyes,
And timidly he said,
‘A trend toward experiment
In modern minds is bred.

‘I feel the will to roam, to learn
By test, experience, nous,
That fire is hot and oceans deep,
And wolves carniverous.

‘My brain demands complexity.’
The lisping cherub cried.
I looked at him and only said,
‘Go on. The world is wide.’

A tear rolled down his pinafore,
‘Yet from my life must pass
The simple love of sun and moon,
The old games in the grass;

‘Now that my back is to my home
Could these again be found?’
I looked on him, and only said,
‘Go on. The world is round.’”

These words have been like a warm soft scarf for my soul.  And I have wrapped myself in it, reading the words again and again. It has warmed me right to the center of my being.  You see all those years ago, my parents let me go, free to pursue God’s will for my life, free to explore His world.  They knew, like I know now: Someday we will be together in our heavenly home.  And there we will have all of eternity to catch up.

friends and loved ones

Miscommunication

melodyannday1 Comment

(originally written May, 2010)

I have enjoyed the last few weeks’ conversations with my son Isaac. He has a unique understanding of grammar right now. While he does not always manage to say what he means, our chats have become very intriguing.

He has an interesting way of using some kinds of words. Recently we were in a public restroom that had a rather unpleasant aroma. Isaac promptly said to me, “Mommy this baffwoom feels stinky!”

He has not been able to master his use of him vs. her. They are completely interchangeable, no matter who the subject is. Often he refers to my daughter Mackenzie in terms of him and he. “Mommy, him is crying!” And he cannot seem to grasp before and after. He uses after in place of before – “Mommy, will we eat breakfast after we play at the park?” But he really means to ask if we will go to the park after we eat breakfast. Usually I can figure out what he means, but it can be tricky.

At bedtime he likes to give me a list of reminders to tell him the following morning. “Mommy, be sure to tell me to play the bunnies on Super Mario Galaxy in the morning! And make sure you tell me to go to the potty and… and… and…” Sometimes he tells me a whole string of information and honestly I have no earthly idea what he is talking about.

There is one thing I can count on, no matter how much he insists on things that don’t make sense. Even if we are having one of those conversations that are a bit confusing, I know it will end one way: “Mommy, I wuv you!” His little voice is precious; it is music to my ears. Isaac is such a little lover, and I wouldn’t trade even one of these minutes with him for anything.

During these recent moments, I have come to wonder if my prayers sound similar in God’s ears. I know there are times that I pray for things that don’t make sense. Or I ask for things that probably don’t seem to be logical. Based on His ultimate knowledge, does God figure out what I really am hoping for, even if I’m not making the right request? My prayers are made without full understanding. How could I possibly pray any differently? I see dimly. But He sees all and knows all.

There is one thing that I am confident of – He asked for us to come to Him as children, in our innocence. My conversations with my son are so special, even though he isn’t communicating “properly.” And, I believe that it is necessary for us to have similar conversations with God. He wants us to bring our thoughts, our cares, our desires to Him – even if sometimes they don’t make sense. Even if we can’t figure out how to say it right.

It seems to me that really, He is looking for our affection. The same way that I look forward to the ending with Isaac, He longs for our love. If He knows the heart, maybe its not miscommunication, but rather innocence infused with honesty. I hope that someday my prayer time with Him will be more childlike, not so worried about conversing correctly, but instead in an open and free way like the conversations with my son.

Thank you Lord, for inviting me to come to you as I am. Its good to know that you want to hear my voice and that you love me in spite of any miscommunication.

Psalm 145:17-19

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

friends and loved ones

medicine…

melodyannday3 Comments

I am a stay at home, home schooling mom of three.  That means I am at home a lot.  My human interaction is with people who range in age from 9 down to 1.  I don’t always get to be with adults and have grown up conversation.  Its just the nature of my current situation – I know it will change someday.

A week ago, two of my three were sick – and that made things significantly worse.  We are banned from all of our activities out of the house when the little people are sick. In those times I find myself sort of fading.  I think we made it out to visit the doctor’s office – twice – to get antibiotics for an ear infection and a sinus infection.  Not exactly the fun I was looking for.

I’ll admit it – I was lonely.  Its a bad place to be, really.  I am no fun as a pity party for one.  No fun at all. I found myself in need of medicine.  I didn’t find it until, well, let’s just say I wallowed in my loneliness for a while.

I’m reminded of Elijah and I’ve been drawn to his story…  sometimes I think he and I have a little bit in common. Remember the part of his story, how after a huge victory against the prophets of Baal, he ran a long, long way- was completely exhausted and hid?  Then – God came and found him in his hiding place – a windstorm, a fire, an earthquake all passed by.  But then scripture says God came to him in a gentle whisper.

I don’t really compare to Elijah. The miracles in my home revolve around a baby sleeping all night, a nine year old daughter learning her multiplication tables and a little boy who eats his dinner.  My life isn’t really like his at all except in this way:  I’m really good at telling the Lord I’m all alone, when I’m not.  And God, without exception, in His mercy comes to me.  He shows me that He is what I need.  In my loneliness, I find Him to be the best remedy for my soul.  And that alone is what brings healing for my heart.

In the end, I can’t help but realize that maybe this time my children’s illness was actually the Heavenly Father’s way of drawing me one step closer to Him, so that He can help me become who He needs me to be.  And as they are recovering from their colds and ear infections, my heart is in recovery too.  This is truly the best medicine.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the healing that you bring to our household, for my children – and for my heart as well. Don’t let me grow indifferent to You and Your desire to draw me close.  Its so wonderful to know that I’m never alone, no matter what.  amen.

In the midst of the dark and lonely times, this is the very medicine that I need:

Psalm 139: 1-12

1You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

friends and loved ones

mini me…

melodyannday1 Comment

I have a mini me at my house.  Her name is Emily. Its quite noticeable how much she is becoming a lot like me. It stands to reason, I guess,  since I’m one of the major influences in her life right now. She is turning 9 soon; she’s almost a young lady.

I noticed it Sunday morning in particular when we were getting ready for church.  I looked at her, with her dark brown hair in braids, her broad smile and her dark brown eyes –  I felt like I was watching a home video of myself…

Nowadays she is quite the little mother figure.  She helps me a lot around our home.  As she gets older I find myself saying things like, “Emily, watch Mackenzie while I’m in the kitchen making lunch…”  or “Em, will you go downstairs and help Isaac for a minute?”  She is a little replica of “Melody” sometimes…  and I hear her saying things, phrasing words just like I do – and making facial expressions that make me feel like I’m looking in the mirror.  Its almost scary.

So, I shouldn’t be surprised when she says things that make me cringe…. Often she’s making remarks that sound just the way I’d say them.    Harsh words, negative thoughts, impatience – all with my hand gestures, to boot.  Yes, there is nothing that opens my eyes to my own sin like my daughter’s imitation of me.

When I see all of this in action I am reminded how much I need to be a “mini me” of  Jesus.  I call myself a Christian. With that name, I should be an effective follower of Christ, right?  It shouldn’t be a problem that there are 3 sets of little eyes watching my every action, right?

Ephesians 5:1&2  says, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Living a life of sacrificial love is wonderful to think about, but so much harder to accomplish in real life. If I could live more like Him, my daughter would have a better model to follow – maybe she’d be drawn to be more like Christ because of my example.

But, the truth is : being like Him can only be done because He loves me and by the grace that He gives me to follow Him. Only then do I find the courage to live out such sacrificial love. In the end its the only hope my little mini me has for  turning out less like her mom and more like Him.

Heavenly Father,

Will you give me the strength to walk out this life of sacrificial love on a daily basis?   Let me be the example that my sweet daughter needs.  Please, help my life to point her to that love and grace that comes only from You.  amen.

a bit of history · friends and loved ones

Wiggle Waggle Loop de Loo…

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(originally written March 2010)

My sweet little baby doll, Mackenzie, is just a few days away from being 10 months old. We have accomplished a word – “uh-oh”, she has 2 bottom middle teeth making an entrance and she can scoot in a sitting position anywhere. Her favorite book to read with me is “Wiggle Waggle Loop-de-Loo.” She laughs through the whole book. Its safe to say she loves it!

This morning when I came into the living room, she had inched over near the book and looked up at me smiling, as if requesting to read it. I almost walked by and continued with my agenda. But, I stopped. Almost audibly I heard a voice say, “Seize the moment…” We read the book through several times to the music of my baby’s giggles. I have labeled this memory and filed it away for the “long term” folder.

It seems that my life is passing by as a series of opportunities. Sometimes I miss them they rush by so quickly, once in a while I’m able to make the most of them.

Recently we had new neighbors move into the house across the street. At the time, I was thrilled and asked the Lord to help us reach out to them. That was my sincere prayer… and He is answering in a series of opportunities.

Yesterday, my husband arrived home from work, we ate dinner quickly and he went outside to work on a “house” project before the daylight faded. I stayed inside while Mackenzie took her evening nap. As I sat in the living room, I heard some laughing outside. When I looked out the window – I saw my husband had abandoned his project. He and Emily, along with the dad from across the street were helping our new neighbors learn to ride our extra bicycles. Michael had seized the moment.

So often I am not good at seizing. I’m good at planning and sticking with the plan. I don’t do well with change at the drop of a hat… But, God is working to make my rigid heart pliable with these opportunities. Its in every day situations – with my own children, with my neighbors, with friends and on and on the list goes.

For me, its giving up my control and letting Him whisper to me – following His lead with quick obedience. When He gives me a chance to be “Jesus” to those around me, I can no longer choose the other – I must choose to dig in, I must seize the moment. And I must, no matter how out of character it is for me, no matter how far out of my comfort zone it is.

I’m reminded of one of my favorite verses :

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Dear heavenly Father, Help me to remember that You have created me and that you have a very special work for me to do. Please, let me hear your voice and obey right away.

Here is your fair warning : If you call and I don’t catch the phone the first time around, just know this- I may be doing something else important, something unplanned, something requiring my instantaneous attention. I just might be reading “Wiggle Waggle Loop de Loo!”

a bit of history · friends and loved ones · who knows?

storm

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Today we’ve experienced a bit of uneasiness at our house.  We’ve had some windy, rainy weather- with possible tornados.  My daughter, Emily gets a little bit nervous when situations like this come up, so there was a lot of watching the sky – waiting for things to get ugly.No matter how old I get, there is something just a bit unnerving about waiting for  a tornado to drop in any minute.

I can remember my first tornado experience.  I was probably 5 or so, living with my family in Danville, IL.  We waited it out in the basement – I was terrified at the time. The next day I found there was reason for my fear.  Riding in the car with my mom to church, we saw things strewn around from peoples homes – a mattress from someone’s bed was on the side of the road. and it looked like maybe the contents of their dresser drawers had been scattered everywhere.

Today as we waited for the bad weather to pass, I tried to comfort my frightened girl. But the truth is – I couldn’t make any valid promises – and she knew it.  I don’t control the weather , good or bad, and she is quite aware of that fact.

I had my own mini storm of sorts last week.  The kind that doesn’t amount to anything in the long run, but it was enough to make me think.  enough to get my insides twisted into knots.  I was reminded of something then, and again today.

This storm is not mine.  Its His.  He controls the winds and the rain.  I can not change the circumstances.  I can only change my response.  In the midst of questions, fears, frustrations all I can do is surrender to the one who owns it.

When I am able to move into a posture of complete surrender, which by my humble definition is : believing that He is the one in control, that He is continually working things for my good, that I can trust Him and believe His Word – its then that I am able to praise Him through the roughest of storms.

His promise from Isaiah 41:10 is real: “So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for Your promises – for your presence, your strength, your help.  There is no where I would rather be than in the palm of  your righteous right hand.  May my heart give You praise in the midst of it all.  amen.

There’s an old hymn that I remember singing in church when I was young – and it seems more than appropriate for a day like today.

Till the Storm Passes By

In the dark of the midnight,
Have I oft hid my face;
While the storm howls above me,
And there’s no hiding place;
‘Mid the crash of the thunder,
Precious Lord, hear my cry;
“Keep me safe ’til the storm passes by.”

When the long night has ended,
And the storms come no more,
Let me stand in Thy presence.
On that bright, peaceful shore.
In that land where the tempest
Never comes, Lord may I
Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.

‘Til the storm passes over,
‘Til the thunder sounds no more;
‘Til the clouds roll forever from the sky,
Hold me fast, let me stand,
In the hollow of Thy hand;
Keep me safe ’til the storm passes by.

a bit of history · friends and loved ones

Who’s your daddy?

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About a year ago now, my husband’s family received astonishing news.  They had relatives in France.  Without reviewing all of the details, as each chapter of this story has unfolded, we have seen the hand of God.   There is a man in France, named Jean who is related to us – and by the grace of God, he found Michael’s dad.  Now Michael’s dad has been able to help him learn more about their common relative. Until last year, Jean had very little knowledge of his own dad.

Because of modern technology they have been able to ichat once.  And, Michael’s dad has been able to ichat regularly with Maud, our french cousin.  Its all quite glorious  helping them fit the pieces of their life’s puzzle together.    Imagine!  Never knowing your father.  I have no idea what its like.

I’ve always known my dad.  He’s been very present in my life from my birth, right up until now.  I can tell you a lot about my dad.   For instance I know he doesn’t like peanut butter in his dessert.  No peanut butter cups for dad.  I also know he is an avid St.Louis Cardinals fan.  I’ve experienced Disney World three times with my dad: once when I was 6, when I was 18 and recently when I was 33.  I’ve watched him play church softball, and I’ve prayed for Him in the moments just after his heart attack.  He’s a man of integrity and he is a phenomenal husband, dad and pastor.  This is just the tip of the iceberg…

I can’t fathom not knowing my dad.   He’s the one who introduced me to my Heavenly Father.   I became a believer at a young age and He has been a part of my life ever since.  What would life be like without Him?

I’d like to tell you that I know Him really well… and sometimes I think I do.  I know the accounts of His miracles from Scripture.  I can list His attributes.  But, often (far too often)  I don’t actually take into account who He is in my daily life.

This is how I noticed it today.  Our french relatives may come for a visit within the next year or so.  Since I’m the one who is half canadian, who took french in elementary school, and high school and college, it stands to reason that I would brush up my skills and get back a bit of my vocabulary.  But I’m procrastinating.  I have borrowed a Rosetta Stone french curriculum from a friend – and it is sitting prettily in the corner of my bedroom closet.    Why, you ask?

Because I’ve forgotten who my heavenly Father is.

I know He parted the Red Sea, and His Son fed the 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish.  I absolutely believe in those miracles.  But, I’m not confident that he can work a miracle that involves me remembering how to ask things like, “What time is it?” in french.  Sometimes I think its easier to believe He can do earth shattering things rather than simple little things…

But He promises to help us accomplish the things He’s called us to do.  Paul knew it was true in Philippians 4 when he confessed:

“I can do all things through Him ho gives me strength.”

In this case, I have to believe that by the power of the Holy Spirit, I will be able to  revive all of that french that is shoved away in the far corners of my brain.  And, by counting on who my Heavenly Father  is and what He can do, I might be able to help Jean learn more about his Father.

Heavenly Father,  Thank you for your promises that I find in your Word.  Help me learn to rely on them more.  Let your gift of faith swell in my heart, overriding my fears.  And when a miracle occurs – when those french words roll off my tongue – I pray that You alone will be glorified!  amen.

a bit of history · friends and loved ones

the splitzie

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I’ve been reminiscing a lot over the past few weeks.  The memories I have from my childhood summers are so brilliant and vivid, I can’t hide from them.  They follow me.  They pester.  They make me laugh.  They reveal who I am.

So, there’s a particular recurring event that happened each evening – and I can’t help but share it with you…  it was our bedtime snack.  Better known at my GG’s house as the splitzie.  For my sister and I it was a favorite part of the day.  Our splitzie was a package of snowballs, a culinary delight made by Hostess, that we shared.  one each.  And just in case you don’t know a snowball is chocolate cake, filled with white cream, covered with a layer of marshmallow and rolled in coconut.  my mouth is watering now.

The bedtime snack had been named long before – my dad and my uncles, long before our time had also shared a splitzie at bedtime.  It was natural that Marilyn and I would continue on the tradition.   Recently she texted me to say that her husband had just brought home a whole grocery bag of snowballs “for the kids”.    If she really loved me, she would send me one.

These days we don’t share snowballs.  I mean, its not possible…  she’s more than 8 hours away.  But we do splitzie other things.  Just to be clear, my definition of spliztie is fairly simple: to give a portion of something to someone so that you can share it together.

Recently my sister and I have been splitzy-ing a lot.  And while its been difficult in some ways, its been as delightful as a snowball as well.  We get to talk and email and text a lot.  She has been willing to split some of my burdens with me.  When I have something that is too heavy on my own, she is there and we chat and I know she prays for me.  It makes the whole thing a lot easier to know she’ll go splitzies with me.

And really this is how I believe we find Christ’s love in action.  I find that He is there for me, able to bear the burden with me, even for me, through my sister’s love and willingness.  And, I believe its how He tangibly ministers to me today – through others’ obedience to Him, loving one another, bearing each others burdens.

from 1 John:

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

I am so thankful for His work in my life, for others who are willing to share in my journey – and the love that He provides through a splitzie!

amen.

md

friends and loved ones · in my kitchen

chocolate chip blessings…

melodyannday1 Comment

I was prepared this morning, or so I thought.  Last evening was a bit rough – all three kids had fevers when I checked around 6 pm – and still when they went to bed.  I should have known because they all had pretty rough moments yesterday being grumpy and the like.  So, at 9 o’clock I called the people we had activities planned with for the day and cancelled.

I have to say I was bummed.  I look forward to our fun days out of the house and I felt like it was stolen out from under us.  No fun piano lessons or science co-op.  Nope, just home.  and Sound of Music, because that’s what my kids want to watch over and over again right now.

Everyone was up bright and early and so I got up. My plan had been to make chocolate chip pancakes.  I thought it would at least cheer Emily up since she’d be missing out on our previously fun day.  But as I got up and moving I felt the long day of whining and grumpies looming out in front of me;  it was almost more than I could bear.  I felt my disappointment well up in my heart and all of my energy drain right out of the tips of my toes.  Even though I mentally had been prepared, I felt the desire to crawl back in bed and forget the pancakes.

But I didn’t.  I moved into the kitchen and got things rolling.  I mixed up the batter and added in the chocolate chips and they were bountiful.  After all, if you’re gonna make chocolate chip pancakes, you might as well do it right!  The first batch were on the griddle when I looked down at them.

It was as if I heard Him say,  ” I have blessed you beyond the number of these chocolate chips, here in your pancakes… Even if today is not what You had in mind, it is still good.  I have been good to you.”  And I began to count, and number all of the good things in my life.   I felt the sadness slip away, with hope beginning to swell in my heart.  It was a beautiful moment in the presence of my Heavenly Father.  Chocolate chip blessings…

Psalms 27:13-14 encouraged me even further this morning:

I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

Oh Heavenly Father,

Keep me vigilant, focused on your goodness.  In the difficult moments that today may bring, help me to revel in your love and provision. Let my heart and mind remain in the perfect peace that only you can give!  amen

a bit of history · friends and loved ones

reflections from the beach pt. 3

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(originally written June 3, 2010…  yes, its been a hectic day, so I’m posting this for now – but there are fresh thoughts brewing…  will post them soon!)

I’d be lying if I told you there wasn’t a hard part about going to the beach. It begins with the word swimsuit. I’ve never really liked donning a swimsuit, but what’s a girl to do at the beach?

My sister brought me a lovely coverup – a cute little dress and I actually enjoyed wearing it. But at some point, if I was going to swim I had to wear a bathing suit. This means coming to terms, once again with myself. I am a mother of three children, whose shape reflects this fact. I continue to work at being healthy and I regularly exercise, but I am confident I will never look 21 again.

Why is this a problem? I would like to be like the other beautiful people at the beach. Slender, unafraid to step out in their swim clothes, their hair perfect, sand does not stick to their wet flip flops – they are a walking utopia for me…

You see, as I hard as I try, I am continually brought to my knees on this point: My beauty as a woman has absolutely nothing to do with how I look in tankini. The Lord knows how much time I have spent discussing this with him. I would prefer to have someone else’s body – but this is not what is supposed to be so elevated in importance to me.

There are people who laugh at this, but I believe it is true: To be beautiful on the inside is what the heavenly father seeks first for me and that is what is important. I know that because of His work in my life, I am becoming a beautiful woman. His desire is for His fruit to blossom and grow, creating a most beautiful creature by His hand. Anything else, inside or out is only a counterfeit.

Does this mean I give up on the temple He has given me? Absolutely not. I have every intention of making healthy choices and being as physically fit as possible. But my desire is to be comfortable in my own skin, no matter where I am in the process.

More importantly I want to value what my Heavenly Father thinks of my inward beauty over what the world sees in my outward beauty. Wow is that hard for me. But, as I sat on the beach I was able to reflect on what He sees. I am far more patient with my children than I used to be. I am learning what it means to treat others with love and respect. He and I together are making strides towards the beauty He desires for me.

Proverbs 31: 30

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Heavenly Father,

Help me to see from your point of view when I look in the mirror. When it comes to beauty, remind me once again how beautiful I am and how much you love me, no matter my size or how my bathing suit looks… Let me walk in this confidence alone!

m