Blessings by Laura Story

This is one my favorite songs. So BEAUTIFUL!

We Are His

If you've read our about page, you've probably seen this sentence before:

The purpose of this blog is to encourage girls in their faith and remind them that their beauty is found in Christ alone. 

Today I'd been hit hard with that sentence. I really, really struggle with my self-image. As much as I try to believe the theme of this blog - that I'm beautiful in Christ - I don't always think that way. I feel fat, and wonder how anyone could ever love me.

What I need to remember when that nagging doubt starts creeping in is that Someone already does love me.

Today was such a bad day. I was depressed. Satan was throwing lies at me in every possible way. I didn't want to eat, because I felt so horrible about myself.

Then I got online. And somehow, I found myself on Beautiful in Christ. I was reading over some of our posts, and they encouraged me. They uplifted me and reminded me of the message that I blog about every week on BIC.

WE ARE BEAUTIFUL.

It's not because of what we've done. It's because of Jesus.

Plain and simple, we are His.

There is nothing I can do that can make me look better in his sight. He loves me just the way I am.

And he's the only reason that I breathe.

In Christ alone, my hope is found.




In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my all-in-all

Here in the love of Christ I stand

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Beautiful Art

“I grew up hearing everyone tell me 'God loves you'. I would say 'big deal, God loves everybody. That don't make me special! That just proves that God ain't got no taste.' And, I don't think He does. Thank God! Because He takes the junk of our lives and makes the most beautiful art.”

—Rich Mullins

The Truest Love

Close your eyes and imagine with me for a moment. (Well, closing your eyes could be a bit difficult while you read this, but bear with me.)


Imagine you’re in a ballroom. The decadence is overwhelming. Glowing light is cast over everything as the band plays soft, serenading music in the background. You’re a bit of a wallflower, but you don’t mind. You’re enjoying watching everyone twirl and dance, so much so that you don’t even care that you’re not waltzing with the rest of them. Your soft purple dress falls around you in graceful folds, and your hair is in a curly updo. You wouldn’t even know how to do your hair like that if this was real life. You see diamonds everywhere - in the chandeliers above your head, in the dangly earrings you wear, and the diamond bracelet on your wrist. The sparkly atmosphere makes it feel all the more magical.


You feel a light tap on your shoulder. “May I have this dance?”


You whirl, suddenly brought out of your reverie. You were so lost in thought that you didn’t see this man approach, but now, here he stands. His hair is in sawdust-colored curls, and he bows slightly. A hint of a smile lingers on his lips. You’re not sure whether to feel afraid or excited at this unexpected turn of events.


You take his outstretched hand as he leads you onto the dance floor. He grasps your hand, and you waltz. Twirling, twirling. You study this mysterious stranger as you dance. Who is he? Where did he come from?


“I believe we were never fully introduced,” you begin. 


“I’m sorry.” He smiles, almost mischievously. He doesn’t give you his name, and seems to have no intention of giving it to you. You wait for a few awkward moments, and then you tell him your name. “I know,” he says with a wink.


You can’t think of anything to say, so you keep your mouth shut as the dance continues and finally draws to a close. You stand still as the music fades away, suddenly struck with the realization that you danced with someone who is a complete stranger and seems to want to remain that way. Far be it from you to drag information out of him, but there’s something about him that makes you want to know everything. Maybe it’s the way he smiles... or his bluish-green eyes. Whatever it is, you’re intrigued. And you don’t want this conversation - or, rather, lack of one - to end.


Much to your surprise, it doesn’t. He keeps his hold on your hand and tips his head as he looks at you. “Walk with me?”


You are much too surprised to refuse, and allow him to lead you off the dance floor. Together, you walk out the large double doors onto a balcony that looks just like it came from a Disney princess movie. The stars seem to sing above the two of you, accompanied by the sound of the crickets in the bushes below. You study this man curiously. “Who are you?” You finally ask.


“I am,” he simply says.


“No, I mean... who are you?” you ask again, bewildered.


“Tell me...” He begins, leading you by the hand to a nearby bench. “What’s been troubling you? Your thoughts? Your desires?”


You are speechless. “Um...” Again, you ask yourself, who is he? Why does he seem so familiar? And what is this strange hold he seems to have on your heart?


He just looks at you, imploring you to speak with those beautiful eyes of his. And so you do.


“I’ve been thinking. About God. About life. About me...” You trail off. “Who I’m going to marry, mostly.”


He raises his eyebrows, inviting you to go on. “Yes?”


“No, it’s stupid.” You hang your head. He reaches over and lifts your chin up, and you find yourself looking straight into his eyes. “It’s not stupid,” he whispers. “Not to me.”


Your eyes fill with tears. “I feel... worthless. There are no guys who want to date me. No one to even give me a second glance.” 


You turn your body away, but he comes around and kneels in front of you. There is no escaping this man. He holds both your hands in his warm grasp. “What about me?” he asks.


“What about you?” You repeat, starting to get irritated. “I don’t even know who you are!”


“I am,” he says simply.


“You are what?” Your eyes fill with tears again, this time angry tears. You don’t understand this man or anything he says. 


Then he says your name. So tenderly. So sweetly. The sound is so beautiful that you want to melt. Slowly, you turn towards him again. “Yes?” you reply.


“Talk to me,” he says.


And for some reason you can’t understand, your heart comes spilling out. All your desires. Your wants. Your needs. Your pain. Your fears. Your hopes. Your dreams.


“And while I have your attention,” you say with a laugh, “I just want to say, I want to know... where is that special guy? Why hasn’t he come yet?”


This man across from you feels like one of your best friends. And in this moment, all he does is blink. So you continue.


“Who is my true love?”


The man stands, and pulls you into his arms. Then he laughs softly. “Well, that’s easy.”


He pauses, and you look up into his eyes. His eyes... you nearly drown in them.


His voice rumbles next to your ear, and you will never forget what he says.


“I am.”

A post that needs no introduction....

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! 

Have you heard that yet today? Chances are, probably not, but if so, great! I'm glad that someone told you! You deserve to be told, every day!

And if you listen closely, you'll hear it coming from inside you. That's God speaking. Telling you that he cherishes and loves you more than anything in the world. How awesome is that?

Sometimes I think we don't realize. We know that Jesus died on the cross to save our sins, but we don't think about that in depth. He loved us. You. And me. He cherished and loved us enough to be brutally killed and hung on the cross and rise again three day later. 

Wow. 

John 3:16 tells us that God sent his only son to die for us. Come on, girls. How amazing is that? I think that we hear this verse, memorize it and don't really listen to the intensity of it. But it's so amazing. 

I'm going to post it here, and I want you to read over it and realize exactly how amazing it is. Read it more than once.

And know today that Jesus loves you.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."