Emilie is one of my best friends.  I asked her to write for my page as well.  She is one of the most beautiful people I know….

I grew up with a very poor self-image. I always looked
at myself as less than I really was, totally relying
on what my perceptions were. I had no idea how God
could look on me with favor and show me that I was His
beautiful creation. Words of affirmation were present
in my life, but not  from my earthly father.
Nonetheless, I always shot these positive comments
down and stayed in the mindset that they were saying
those things just to say them.

The last several years have been an incredible journey
of salvation, grace, restoration, and renewal in and
through Christ that have enabled me to see the
beautiful image of what He can do in my life. Christ
takes the pain, the sadness, and the horrible
reminders of what was and brings us into the
realization of what truly is, even though we usually
take a long time to realize it. Because He has created
us all for His glory and to serve Him, our destiny
does not lie in what the world calls good and
profitable. Our true beauty is found in Christ alone,
acknowledging that we are truly nothing without Him.

I still have a long way to go to be able to accomplish
what God has for me, but I’m willing to live the
journey, experiencing the highs and lows of the
Christian walk. I want everything about me to reflect
the light of His love and grace that have chased after
me for many years. My earthly father wasn’t there to
give the affirmation that a young woman needed and
yearned for, but my heavenly Father always has been
and will continue to be the ultimate essence of this
intimate father to child connection.

“and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on
them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of
gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair….” Isaiah 61:3 NIV