My 10 year old was sitting next to me the other day and he grabbed my left hand. He lifted it up and closely examined my ring. He was quick to point out that there was a speck in my diamond. I explained that diamonds all have imperfections or flaws and this is what makes them unique. *Let me just throw in a disclaimer for the sake of my husband…..He gave me a new ring last year for our 15 year wedding anniversary and let’s just say that the ring does NOT look flawed and he did VERY well! ( Thanks Luv!)
Just as our son noticed the tiny speck in something so beautiful, I thought of how often we do the same thing. Why are we so quick to pick out the imperfections in ourselves and others?! I am so guilty of this! We are all beautiful in our Maker’s eyes as He knit each one of us together in our mother’s womb. There are no two of us exactly alike- even identical twins have unique personalities and traits. Why does it take such effort to see the beauty in our whole self? The scars, stretchmarks, freckles, and blemishes on the outside and the insecurity, impatience, jealousy, and selfishness on the inside. These are just a few imperfections, but I bet we can quickly name many more if given the chance.
In our world, almost everything is viewed as more valuable and more expensive, the more perfect it appears. The clearer the stone, the more authentic the material, the model perfect flawless women or man- these things are viewed as more desirable and worth more than the rest.
Thank the Lord that He doesn’t view things the same way we do!! The more messed up and imperfect we are, the more grace we are given! There is nothing we can do to our outward appearance or our inward efforts to be any more valuable in God’s eyes! Unconditional love- wholehearted; unqualified; unreserved; unlimited; unrestricted; unquestioning; complete; total; unequivocal- this is the kind of love our God has for His children!
I am convinced our Heavenly Father looks down from Heaven and sees us just as we are in His image and exactly the way He created each one of us to be! Not as we see ourselves at any given moment, but as His Holy and absolutely perfect creation!
This year as I blow out my candles to a new decade- my 40’s!!- I hope to be better at seeing myself and others as the Author of Life sees us…fearfully and wonderfully made!
With love- April
Isaiah 64:8 But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.