We often struggle with our self-image. It can be hard to view ourselves as wonderful and beautiful, instead of seeing all our flaws. So, what can we learn from a junk store find about seeing ourselves as God sees us?
A friend recently posted this picture of a creepy doll she saw at a junk store. Something about it made me glad I saw it in the morning and not right before bed. Not something I wanted to run into in my dreams!
I couldn’t get this picture of out my head all that day. Kept thinking about how I sometimes feel like this doll – like the parts of me don’t quite fit together. Can you relate?
A doll head on a bear body. A misfit, with some quirks and oddities. Not yet living into your full potential. Not entirely where you want to be, as if left in the corner of a junk store. Not sure of your gifts and talents. Wishing you were somehow different.
But the more I thought about this creepy, abandoned doll, I kept hearing the words “fearfully and wonderfully made”.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14
Fearfully – this word means to be full of awe or reverence. We were created to be in awe of God. To respect and love God.
Wonderfully – this means unique and special. We are each created as amazing individuals by God. Each created to fill a unique and special purpose.
I looked up this verse in some other translations and found these additional descriptions for “fearfully and wonderfully made”:
- Strangely and delicately formed (Bible in Basic English)
- Marvelously set apart (Common English Bible)
- Awesomely made, wonderfully (Complete Jewish Bible)
- Amazingly and miraculously made (God’s Word Translation)
- Remarkably and wonderfully made (Holman Christian Standard)
- Wonderfully complex (New Living Translation)
- Marvelously made (The Message)
God never sees us as a misfit. He never abandons us or leaves us alone in the corner of a junk store. To God, we are unique, special, marvelous, amazing, remarkable, wonderful. Take these words to heart and believe them about yourself!
Look closer at the picture of this doll. It has a price tag on it for $89! What?! Obviously someone sees a lot of value in this doll. Just like God sees immeasurable value in each of us.
He sees us each as wonderfully made because He made us. God made us to be just the way we are – quirks and all. He sees us as beautiful and perfect. If we follow Him, He will lead us into a fulfilled life. A life where all our pieces come together and make sense. Where we can live into our potential. Where we can make an impact in this world.
So, the next time you look in the mirror, try to see yourself as God sees you. Not a misfit doll head on a bear body, but a wonderful, unique, marvelous creation.
The doll in the picture below was my mother’s when she was a child. One year for Christmas, she and my grandmother had a replica of Princess Diana’s wedding dress made for the doll and gave it to me. I always thought this was the most beautiful and special doll. This is how I want to view myself. Beautiful and special. Delicately formed. Wonderfully complex. Remarkable. Marvelously made.
How will you choose to see yourself today?
“Beautiful Things” by Gungor – one of my favorite songs!
