We practice to be perfect...

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice makes perfect so many say

And practice we do for that very day

That we’ll walk down the aisle and he’ll sweep us away

Yet as much as we practice, it never seems perfect.

But we try over and over again.

To be perfect. We practice to be perfect.

That little girl in that pretty pink dress

Will practice her skipping in front of the rest

Making sure her doll is dressed the very best

And she’ll keep practicing to be sweet and cute.

But she will never win everyone’s approval.

The little girl starts practicing to be rough

Because she’s supposed to be cute, but also be tough.

To be equal to men she must be more than enough

And all the mixed signals become so confusing.

And yet she practices over and over again.

To be perfect. We practice to be perfect.

That pretty little girl soon meets a young man

And at thirteen she’ll practice holding his hand.

She’ll practice her laugh, her smile, her stand,

But all of that practice and perfect make-up

Can never prepare her heart for that break-up.

And she’ll go off to college and meet many more men

And they’ll practice breaking her heart over and over again.

She’ll practice fitting in, meeting some needs, and then

She’ll realize that everything she’s practiced isn’t good enough

And soon it seems impossible

To be perfect. We practice to be perfect.

And as a mommy she’ll practice giving her heart

Bandaging wounds, giving kisses, and it will start

To being hard keeping the world from falling apart

And yet she’ll practice for them

And pretend everything is perfect.

But all of this practice will not prepare us for anything

For heartache, for love, for loss, for pain

For gossip, for tears, for friendships, for fears

And yet we will practice again

To be perfect. We practice to be perfect.

However, a small whisper says to each of us

“Stop practicing and learn how to trust

I died out of love and you can just

Stop practicing.

Because I am Perfect.”

And soon that girl will realize that perfect is just a prayer away

And Jesus is ready to be the one on that day

Who she will walk toward and listen to Him say

“Stop practicing,

My Love is Perfect.”

Jonny Diaz 'A More Beautiful You'

Do you feel beautiful?

Recently I was rocked by a conversation I had with a friend this weekend. It wasn't a conversation that was deeply ingrained in any deep theology or marked by extreme emotion, but rather a conversation with a friend about "girl things." It seems that lately God has been trying to show me something about beauty- true beauty, His beauty. I have been knocked down by God's truth of what it means to be beautiful both by things He is doing in my own life and by the lives of my friends. The conversation was sparked by a friend who is struggling with her worth. I don't necessarily think that we should look for "self-worth" but rather find our worth in Christ. And what a struggle that can be in our world...

As a middle school teacher, I am constantly surrounded by teenage girls who are searching for the world's definition of "beauty." It's sometimes painful to watch them give themselves away to boys with selfish motives, wear too much makeup to be "attractive," cry when a boy calls them "unattractive," or cut themselves to take away the pain they feel when they consider themselves to be "ugly." The scars that these girls are accumulating at such a young age are heart-wrenching. Now this isn't a feminist rant to bash the American culture's views toward reality (for those of you who know me, you know that is far from where I stand), but rather a call for girls to see the beauty they have in their Creator (I wish many guys could also see the value their have in God's eyes). It's almost ironic that I am writing this on a website that focuses on beauty in many ways- how many of us have tried to get that right facebook picture that makes us look "beautiful"? How many of us have posted status messages that are reflection of being upset about a guy, drama, or anything else that can taint our feelings of worth?

I know that as girls, we are constantly asking questions. Questions about ourselves, questions to ourselves, and questions to others. I know personally that my love language is "words of affirmation," so I am always asking questions. We ask questions such as "Why doesn't he like me? Why don't I look like her? Why doesn't this shirt fit right? Why do those girls talk about me?" and many more. Most of the time, the answers and roots of these questions are embedded in a lack of confidence and insecurity. It is not unnatural to feel insecure (I do all of the time), but the question becomes, "How do I feel secure, confident, worthy, and beautiful?"

Unfortunately, whatever I say or do cannot fix the way someone feels about their beauty. Trust me, I've tried- I even try to talk myself into believing it personally and it doesn't always work! I could tell every student that she is beautiful, that I love her, and that she is worthy. However, that will only be effective if she believes it herself. Let a guy tell her that she is beautiful, he loves her, and she is worthy, she might believe it temporarily and superficially. However, what every girl needs to believe is that God feels that way- she is his most beautiful creation formed in His image, He loves her unconditionally, and that she is so worthy that He gave His son so that she could live eternally with Him.

Many say that beauty comes from within our hearts, but I believe that beauty comes from the mere fact that we were born. When God created the world, He didn't say, "Let me make some things good, and others bad- some things beautiful, others hideous." God looked at the world and saw that "It was good." All of it! (This is even knowing how much we would fail Him!) Since God's purpose is for us to glorify Him- don't you think that maybe then God would make things beautiful to reflect His glory? All of this to say, that if you are reading this, then you are beautiful. As I write this, I am beautiful.


Recently, I heard someone speak about Esther- the beautiful one chosen by the king. Yes, Esther was pretty and King Xerxes recognized this. However, I find it hard to believe that God chose Esther for "such a time as this" just because she was beautiful (I recognize that her beauty her brought her to the throne, but had the king wanted the best singer, he could have chosen someone else: God uses those He has chosen). Her beauty would have meant nothing had she not followed His will. The "beauty" of the story is God chose Esther to fulfill a purpose that He created her for and she obeyed. Each girl and each one of you reading this has a purpose in life. God, because He sees you as beautiful, as loved, and as worthy wants you to fulfill that purpose. Maybe our view would change if we start to think, "why am I here for such a time as this" not "why do I look like this".

This is a great song written by Jonny Diaz that reminds us of this. (I've posted the lyrics below). I pray that you find beauty in our Savior. I believe that you are beautiful, but more importantly, the One who created and designed you believes you are too. If you want to know more, ask.

More Beautiful You Lyrics

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are

So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl

Meredith Andrews - You're Not Alone (Music Video)

An Inspiration

"You're not alone
For I am here
let me wipe away every fear
My love I've never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest night
and I'm the one that's loved you all your life
All of your life"

~ Meredith Andrews
"You're not Alone"

An Introduction

Recently I have been inspired to start a blog just to share with you what's on my heart, particularly what God has laid on my heart. I am constantly reminded of how quickly we forget that we belong to God and that He loves us unconditionally. Not only will this blog serve as a way of reminding me of the grace He pours out daily, but I hope it reminds you as well. While this blog will primarily speak to girls, I feel like it has a message for everyone. After all, Jesus died for all of us. As a teacher, youth leader, and young adult, my heart breaks for those around me. Let this be a simple reminder that God is there to pick up the pieces...

Oh and if you are wondering where the title of this blog came from, check out the next post <3