Beauty in Imperfections

I want to share something that I don't usually share with people or talk about. It's something that runs deep within...

I feel ugly.

I feel like one of the most imperfect people there is.

I am very self conscious.

I don't even like to look at myself in the mirror most of the time.

A lot of this stems from the abuse from my childhood and the shame that goes along with it. I grew up being taught not to care about myself. I was taught to be used and thrown away. I was taught over and over that I'm worthless trash. I grew up in a poor family that couldn't afford dental care or other things to make me look better. We could never afford braces and we still can't. The first time I was taught to put makeup on was a few days before going to college. I was neglected at a prime time for a girl to grow up and learn those types of things.

A few weeks ago, I went to a friend's house and a neighbor's young girl came over and the first thing she said to me was "You are beautiful no matter what." I don't know why she said that to me but it ran deep inside. It made me feel so different than how I usually feel... better.

Why do we tend to neglect the beauty in the simple things when we grow up? Why do we start to judge so easily?

Sometimes we don't feel perfect, because, let's face it, we're not! We have imperfections running through our very veins. We have feelings inside of us that need healing. But what we can take away is that although we are not perfect, we have a God who is and he makes us beautiful...

For you created my inmost being;
 you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

-Psalm 139:13 (NIV)

So stand tall and be who you are. Because nobody can be you...