Forever Beloved

Faith, Love & Truth

Dear Beautiful Girl {a letter to the teenage me}

Dear Beautiful Girl…

Oh pretty girl. If I could give you anything right now it would be a hug.

I would stand there and just hold you, look you in the eyes and promise that it does get better.  It really does.  These years don’t define you. I’m so sorry that you’re going through all of that right now, but it gets better. So much better.

I know you’re listening to Garth Brooks while everyone else is listening to Metallica.  I know you’re driving a John Deere and plowing a garden while everyone else is hanging out with their friends.  I know you feel like you don’t fit in.  It’s all good chickie, someday being country is actually cool!

Your hair is amazing.  Enjoy every single second of your big hair, soon it goes out of style and never comes back in.  I know, unbelievable.  But the adult you is still holding out hope it will come back in style someday.

I know how badly you want to try out for cheerleading.  You came so close, but you allowed someone else to ruin it.  Stop doing that!  One statement of “Amy, a cheerleader?  Are you serious?” completely ruined your confidence and thoughts of trying out.  Ignore them and just try out!  If you don’t, you will regret this your entire life.   

I know how critically important it feels to fit in, to be cool, and most of all, to be beautiful. And thin. Oh, how important that is.

I want you to know a few things. First of all, you are thin!  And your 30something self will wish she looked like you.  Secondly, a woman’s worth is not determined by her weight. You know that. Deep down you have to know that.

But yet…

I see the days when you eat a candy bar, sneak out into the bathroom to try to vomit it up. It doesn’t work and just makes you feel like more of a failure. I see the days when you can’t concentrate because you’re hungry. You’ve convinced yourself that food is disgusting and when you glance around the lunchroom, watching everyone shove food in their mouth, it makes you nauseous. Again, you revise your daily 600-calorie or less menu. One thing it can never include is food at school in front of others.  I see you leafing through the pages of the latest issue of Seventeen, tears dripping down your cheeks because you’ll never look like those girls, and it makes you feel like your worth is less than zero.  
I know you hate your lips and how full they are.  Those kids around you certainly haven’t helped that matter at all, calling you “lipper” and “n… lips”.  But guess what?  Some day women are going to pay to have amazing lips like yours!  I know, right?  And God gave you them for free  🙂  You trendsetter you.
So, you’re finally old enough to date and you’ll finally get your first boyfriend.  But sadly, for two years he fills your head with “I won’t date a fat girl, remember that”, “Look how fat your thighs look in those pants” and “If you would just lose weight, you’d be so beautiful.” You will spend countless date nights sitting in restaurants watching him eat because he feels you’ve had your calorie fill for the day.  And countless nights crying yourself to sleep.  Eventually he is out of the picture, but his words aren’t.

Those words will haunt you for decades.

Darling, gorgeous, lovely, wonderfulness…you are beautiful and worthy exactly as you are, and nothing anyone can say or do will change that truth.  Do you hear me? Your body type does not dictate your worth, no matter what society tells us.

God has told you the truth about who you are. You are beautiful simply because He made you. The only perspective that matters and the only One who defines us is our Maker. How freeing is that truth?

You are beautiful. Nothing can change that fact. Ever. Not aging, not gray hair and not scars from surgeries. The only thing that can change is whether you believe it or not.  

Despite what all the guidance counselors tell you, these years do not define you. You will be so much more than high school. You are a child of God…and no prom dress, hair cut, boyfriend, car, or fight with a friend can ever change that.

You are wonderful and worthy. Please remember that.  You are amazing!

Love,
Your Future Self

One Little Word – 2014

Here we are, starting a new year. I have to admit, there is a big part of me that thrills over the fresh beginning in front of us and ahead of us is all unwritten. It’s like a fresh blanket of white snow that no footsteps are in yet.

For years, I’ve picked a word to be my “one little word” for the year. Last year I shook it up some and picked a verse of the year. This year, I’m going to be a total trendsetter and do both.

While I was thinking and praying for my one little word, I spent some time reading Ali Edwards blog {she is the creator of one little word}. Wow, there are some amazing, inspiring words for 2014! Still, thrive, whole and forward are just a few of the words others have chosen. Wow, are those not some awesome words!

As I was praying, God kept giving me the same word over and over again. And I would find myself saying “Are you sure? I mean maybe I just misunderstood.” I felt slighted and ripped off that I didn’t one of the “cool kid” words.

Yep, then I realized I was basically being a selfish, spoiled brat.

I’m fairly certain if God gives you a word, that you should take it and embrace it. And with that, I give you my word for 2014.

Prayer.

Pray without ceasing ~1 Thessalonians 5:17

I’ve claimed this word and verse as my theme for the next 365 days. I’m going to post it where I can see it daily, maybe in a few different places, and meditate on it often. This one little word is between God and I. It’s something that I’ve really felt He has been trying to work on in my heart lately. This verse couldn’t be any clearer of what He expects of me.

For years, I’ve felt like a bad pray-er {if that is even a word}. I felt like everyone around me could whip out the most amazing, beautiful, bring-you-to-tears prayer but me, ah, not so much. I really think this year God is going to work on that with me. I have to say, I’m kinda super excited about that!

I have a journal ready and the word and verse are written on the cover. In my daily “God talk” time, I ask God to show me what He has to teach me about the word in my life, and then I collect quotes, Bible verses, sermon notes, conversation tidbits, impressions, etc. by jotting them down in my journal, one thought to a page.

As we head into the New Year, would you want to join me and prayerfully consider claiming a word and verse for the year? I’m sure God has a special one just for you. Write the word and verse down, pray about it, journal about it and open your heart for whatever lessons God has in store for you.

Hello 2014…Goodbye 2013

A Cutler year in review, in pictures of course.