Fearfully and wonderfully...

“Comparison is a horrible idol.”

One of my favorite quotes from Matt Chandler.  Short and simple, right?  Well, not quite.

This used to be a huge struggle for me.

I have always been a fairly timid and shy person.  In high school, I compared myself to the more outgoing girls getting attention from the guys.

In college, I compared the attention I received, the projects I completed, and the grades I earned.

Other times, I have compared my health to others.  I have compared my job.  I have compared my spiritual life too.

I think many women struggle with this.  For some reason, we are constantly struggling to “be enough” by whoever’s standards!

But it’s not about WHOEVER’S standards.  It’s about this-

Psalm 139

14  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

16  Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.

FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!  INTRICATELY WOVEN!

And this-

Zephaniah 3

17  The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

REJOICE OVER YOU!

Oh, and this-

Jeremiah 9

23  Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 

24  but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

BOAST IN THE LORD!

These are fairly well-known verses.  These are not new concepts.  But sometimes I still need reminders.  The Lord made me to be ME…only me.  I am enough for Him.  And that is enough in itself.  My parents also made sure to let me know I was enough for them.  My husband lets me know I am enough too.  I was getting down on myself for something really silly the other day when my husband stops me and says, "You don't need to be so hard on yourself!!"  Thankful.

This is one of the main things I want my daughter to know too.  There will be absolutely no need for her to compare her beauty, intelligence, relationships, health, or anything else TO anyone else.  She will be enough.  She will be valued.  She will be loved beyond anything…by me, her daddy, and Jesus. 

I want her to know she’s beautiful…and that beauty comes from Jesus who made her fearfully and wonderfully…inside and out.  

Did you need this reminder today too?  You are ENOUGH, my friend.  And don't forget to boast in The One who made you enough!

Love,

Leslie (and baby GIRL)