Several weeks ago we attended a youth conference with our students. It was an awesome weekend and I went prepared to see our youth transformed and drawn closer in their walk with Him . Little did I know I also would receive a "Word" from the Lord that would change me.
The focus of a lot of what the Minister shared with our students was dealing with the lie the enemy speaks to them and to all of us as children of God. Many are led to believe because they are told constantly at school by peers or at home by parents that they are losers, stupid, not going to amount to anything, ugly, fat and the list could go on and on. All weekend I listened and watched as the Holy Spirit moved in our kids heart, even my sweet Noah. I prayed and took every word in. On Sunday the students were given an opportunity to testify about what the Lord had done for them. One by one students got up and shared awesome stories of deliverance that had come to them over the weekend as they realized they were sons and daughters of God. And they refused to believe the lies the devil had told them.
This teenage girl got up, took the walk from the back to the front, took the microphone and began to share. She was NOT a blonde hair, blue eyed, size 4 Abercrombie girl, with a fake tan and too much eyeliner. She was different. She looked a lot like I did when I was 14! And I immediately connected with her. She said, " I know I don't look like most of you" and when she said that she had me! She began to share the struggle with her appearance, her body her hair and fitting in. How the enemy had told her she was nothing! But went on to share that the Lord had reminded her that weekend that she was BEAUTIFUL and that she was HIS daughter! He accepted Her exactly how he created her. And He loved her. I can not tell you the courage it took for this young girl to stand before this group of kids and be as transparent as she was. It was awesome. She was my hero! At that very instant I began to cry realizing at 36 years old even I still struggled with that. And at that moment the Lord began to speak to my heart and remind me how much He loves me. And if I can not embrace who I am and love myself no one else will either. I have walked in this word for the past few weeks and will continue to walk in it. This doesn't give me freedom from being responsible for me and keeping the temple pure and holy. I have to take care of it. Exercise and eat healthier. But no more will I allow myself to be poured into a replica of what I see on magazines or movies. Or even my friends! I am learning to be comfortable in my own skin. And love me.
Oh How He Loves Us So! I will never sing that song the same again. It feels good. Really really good!
No comments:
Post a Comment