For years I hated the little girl inside myself! You might know her – the one with ratty, unkempt hair, tattered clothing, a messy face, skin and bones, and knobby knees. I sort of think many of us are like that little girl. I can remember looking into the mirror (I was probably about 10 or 11 years old), tears streaming down my face, wondering if anyone would ever love me.
Through years of feeling deep hurt, rejection and being teased mercilessly, I turned to many different things and people to find my significance. I had the worst struggle with gossip – a stronghold that kept me captive for many, many years. See, it was so much easier (however shallow it might have been) to look at others faults instead of recognizing my own.
About 18 years ago, Jesus found me – he pulled me up out of that pit of rejection, self hatred and sadness. People often wonder why I am so outspoken about my faith in Jesus Christ! Well this is why – he rescued me, he changed me and made me completely new (2 Corinthians 5:17). And, most importantly, he LOVED me, genuinely loved me – flaws and all – and He taught me to love myself.
As I began that walk all those years ago, I still found that I would slip back into the shame, guilt and despair that I fought for so long to hide. And, each time, Jesus would whisper so gently – I….LOVE….YOU! Just as you are!
You know what is funny – I truly love that little girl now. I adore her – everything including all the broken pieces that only God could so beautifully piece together. All of this has led me to be the woman I am today (beautiful, adored, cherished by my King). It has given me a softness that I don’t think I would have otherwise had. And it has given me a heart to love the unlovely, to care for the hurting, to rescue the broken – and to “love them (everyone, including you) to the Kingdom” (my twin sisters phrase).
Sweet child – are you hurting, are you broken, do you feel unworthy or unloved? Are you that little girl? Jesus is calling. Just like he did with me – he wants to rescue you. He wants you to feel His love!
Romans 8:31-39: What then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, WHO can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long: we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, or anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
