who defines beauty?

this thing has been in my mind for quite some time... just wanted to share.

the bible tells us that we are created in the likeness of God whose nature is beauty. if His nature is beauty and we are created in His likeness, then we... you and I are beautiful. there's no way we can't be!

and that means... my face is just as its supposed to be, and yours too... my eyes and yours.. my smile and yours... the way we walk... the way we move around. we are perfectly created to be just as we are. for His very own hands have knit us together in our mothers womb.

how could we, then, be so narrow-minded to think only certain looks are beauty? how long would we carry this grudge against ourselves for not looking as beautiful as someone else we think is...? how long would we be oblivious to the fact that we are special...? each one of us... we are fearfully and wonderfully made... fashioned and created after the most beautiful ONE! who defines our beauty? who decides whether or not we feel beautiful?

we are loved.. we are special to the point of a violent love dying for us... on the cross. we are thought of... cared for... longed for... always. there is someone who loves us just the way we are... someone who is always reaching out... always running towards us... calling out to us... waiting, longing, hoping, that we would take a moment to look his way. his heart aches and desires for us to have a relationship with him. his arms ache to hold us. his deepest desire is that we see ourselves the way he sees us... for us to know him.

if there is no one, in the world, to tell you how beautiful... how special... how loved... you are. there is always one who is. always loving, always caring, always longing for you... forever.
so look at yourself in the mirror and... tell yourself you're beautiful... you're special... you're loved... by Father who created us.

his arms are open... always open. for you and me.

Blessings!!!