Photo credit: Scraps of Memory

I glance over to you. You are twirling your beautiful sundress like a prima ballerina, as the star of your very own show.

You say, “Mom, my dress looks like a flower!”

I can’t help but smile. I see a flower too… She has wavy strawberry blond hair that reaches the middle of her waist. She has a bright smile, with crystal blue eyes that twinkle like the sun hitting a pool of water. Do you know you’re beautiful, Ms. Isabella? We, as women, sometimes question our worth, our beauty… We seek admiration by the way we dress, the way we talk, the choices we make. We want so bad to feel loved. Our heart cries for this attention, and when we don’t receive it, we criticize ourselves as though we didn’t reach the standard that we needed to achieve. We question if we are of value. Well, sweet child, I pray this is not a vice for you. I pray you know you don’t measure your worth with these shifting scales. You are beautiful… Because you are YOU.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:14

As the sunlight dawns on another day, many of us are trying to get our bearings and pounce into survival mode, but you start out the day differently. You pace yourself and welcome in the new day. Offering a smile from a mile away; saying hello with grace and beauty. There is a happiness that exudes from you, that even make the tips of your eyes appear as though they are smiling.

You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you.

Song of Songs 4:7

Many try to force their way into the spotlight, but it is your thoughtfulness that sets you apart. Thinking of others comes so naturally to you. It’s a sign of maturity I have witnessed in you since a young age. One way you express yourself is through making cards. What a timeless expression of love. You make me a card often as though it was the first time. Do you know how that makes me feel? Loved! And that’s exactly how I hope you feel.

For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

Proverbs 3:15-18

What do you see when you look into the mirror? I will tell you what I see… A rare gem, a handcrafted child of the living God, who set you apart with purpose and value. Nobody can ever take that away from you. Sometimes we let distractions and lies convince us we are replaceable, but this is not true. Do you know that when I am sad, I can just think about you, and it helps me feel happy?

I know you desire to please others; to be accepted and loved. It’s part of our makeup to fellowship with others, but please remember there is only one person you need to please, and He sits on the throne with arms open wide, never dimming His love for you.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

Mark 8:36

I love you Izzy, and I am most certainly not alone. I hope you feel cherished and loved as the princess you are. May your heart always sparkle more than the bling on your dress. May your joy be full as you radiate with peace. As you close your eyes at night, may you find comfort in that you will always be loved, no matter what happens in life or where you are, you are always my sunshine.