Do you know you are precious?

  

Hello Dear Ones,

You are so precious and I love you with my whole heart. This is what I say to my daughter daily. If your mother didn’t say it to you - as a mother myself, let me speak your preciousness over you. “You are precious, and I love you”

How our caretakers treated us and responded to us from the womb all the way up until we become old enough, mature enough to find our worth from inside ourselves (and from God) shapes and defines us. How we attach and how we process life - the good and the bad, trauma or Trauma affects our minds, bodies, spirits and souls. Did you know that trauma we have witnessed, been a part of or done to someone or been done to - left unprocessed, gets trapped inside our bodies? The well worn paths in your brain, the ones you journey down without even thinking about

were formed before you knew anything. As adults it is a difficult process to form new brain pathways, new ways of thinking and therefor doing but it’s worth it to become the person you have always been meant to be. God promises abundant life, not small, close minded, stubborn, old, broken, ashamed, beaten lives. We were made for love, freedom, reconciliation with God and each other. 

The journey of our lives is unique to each of us. We are all an individual and each one is special. Sadly many make poor or downright bad decisions that lead to life long consequences for ourselves, our families and friends and those who were affected by our choices. Now we didn’t start out that way - bad, in the womb and after is when the person who you are right now was being formed. It’s good to become aware of who you are. How you think of yourself. How you view others, how you respond and react to others in different situations. Become aware because you can choose to change and grow. You aren’t stuck with who you are no matter how “bad” you are or how mature, grown or “good” you think you are. 

Eventually we all have to come to a place to take ownership of ourselves and make the changes we desire to live lives of freedom in Christ but there is a time where we are not responsible for our small, young selves. As a family, a community, a people we are each playing a part in each other’s lives, making choices that affect others and ourselves. Smiling, loving, encouraging and hugging or holding another precious person when it’s appropriate can change someone else’s life and it will change yours. 

Start where you are. You have yourself. Look in the mirror and tell yourself the truth, about who you are.

1. You are loved by God, created in his image. No matter who you are or what you have done this is true.

 “For God so loved every person on planet earth that he sent his son (Jesus) to pay for our sins. The payment was death - but whoever believes in Gods son Jesus will find salvation and receive eternal life with God.” And in case you don’t know, Jesus rose from the dead and is sitting beside his Father in heaven praying for each of us. So cool. 

2. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone does bad things on purpose. Nobody is perfect. 

“For everyone on planet earth has sinned in their lifetime and fallen short of the glory of God”

3. God put you here for a reason and that reason is so you could be loved by him and love him back, love others and find community, so that you could know God and be known by him and others and so you could share your gifts and talents with the world. Everyone has a gift. Mine is encouragement. I’m good at speaking life over others. It’s mine to share and give away. What’s yours? You may not know what your talent or gift is, don’t worry, you will. 

4. You are smart, bold, have courage, can do hard things, face your fears, choose life, you are beautiful and you are precious and special and known and loved.

God knows the words on our tongues before we speak them and knows our thoughts from afar. He will never leave us or forsake us and he never forgets us. Even if our parents forget us, God never does. God is love and he loves you. He forgives us of our sins and washes us clean. 

So once you can speak truth to yourself looking yourself in the eye expand to those around you. Do so when it is safe to. Be kind. Kindness is in words, tone of voice, actions and even thoughts. And have boundaries. Say no, be clear and be healthy. If you don’t know what that looks like maybe look into getting a counsellor. Serve others and be open to being served. Be gentle and patient. Knowing that doesn’t mean passive or allowing others to walk over you. And most of all day sorry when you need to and offer forgiveness for yourself as much as for others. Process and move foreword. Don’t hold the past close or long to go back - live in the moment and look forward to the future. 

We get to grow and change. It is painful, beautiful and possible. 

Look for the healing and sunshine,

Laura