Sometimes I imagine an older version of my beautiful daughter gazing into her own bright hazel eyes in the mirror…

And believing she’s not enough.

Clutching at her waistline. Flapping the skin under her arms. Pinching the flesh of her inner thighs. Examining her rearview as she twists in the bathroom mirror.

Hating herself.

And it absolutely breaks my heart.

Because to me, she’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.

She’s kind and funny and smart and sassy and strong-willed and considerate and sweet.

I love her ideas.

I adore her heart.

Her infectious laugh can fill any room.

And I can’t help but marvel at her awesomeness!

But one day, this lovely little creature who I’ve loved from her very first breath…might berate herself.

Criticize every move.

Absolutely hate what she sees. Who she is, even.

Because isn’t that what WE do sometimes???

Don’t we focus on our flaws?

Don’t we ONLY see our imperfections?

Don’t we imagine that no matter what we do or who we are…we should be BETTER?

Thinner? Faster? More beautiful?

Perfect somehow?

You know, I wonder if it breaks His heart???

Because to Him we are beautiful. And bright-eyed.

And kind and funny and smart and sassy and strong-willed and considerate and sweet.

He loves our ideas.

He adores our hearts and the way our laughter can fill any room.

He marvels at our awesomeness.

Oh, how He wishes we could see it. And believe it.

Oh, how He wishes we could realize we were handcrafted by Him.

On purpose.

So, these days when I stare at my daughter and gasp at her beauty.

I steady my breath…

And I KNOW what I have to do.

If I want this little girl to grow up loving and appreciating herself, I have to begin by showing her how much I love and appreciate ME.

Listen mommas…

Me and you??

And the little girls we are blessed to raise???

We were ALL fearfully and wonderfully made.

Pure awesomeness!!

On purpose.

And we just better believe it.