My aunt used to have this magnifying mirror when I was a kid. I remember staring at myself and seeing every detail of my face. As a kid this was fascinating. I also use to love looking at insects under a magnifying glass. I thought seeing all their up-close features was incredibly neat. The other day I stood at myself under a bright light. I could see all parts of my face. The good, as well as things I did not like. We tend to be hard on ourselves as we age. Looking back; it seems like as though by the time I was a teenager, I started using my eyes as a magnifier. Showing all the details of myself, including the ones I did not like. The ones I couldn’t change. Like a magnifying glass, we put ourselves under it; revealing all parts of ourselves that the world has ingrained are not good enough. The world also has a tendency to magnify us through their own sets on lenses. Though I have learned the world is filled with many opinions. To the world’s standards or to at least some people’s standards; we won’t be good enough. We are not the right color, the right size, the right height, we’re not smart enough, we are too much; add your adjective. Though what we forget to realize is that we are beautiful just as God has designed us. Every single one of us; in our flaws or imperfections, in our unique and beautiful differences. We are God’s design and He does not mess up. We must not let someone’s worldly standards define who we are, our worth and whether we are enough. Friend, go to the mirror and look at how wonderfully and intricately you are designed. You are uniquely you and more than worthy and good enough. For you were created by the very one who creates all things beautiful; and yes, that includes you. May we remember to be kind to ourselves and kind to others. For every insult on one another and ourselves is like insulting the creator Himself. Keep your chin up and smile my friend, you are beautiful!

Erin Fitts-Brower

Psalm 139:13-14

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.