A More Beautiful You

This week I learned that a daughter of someone I know in church struggles with an eating disorder.  She's doing alright now, but has friends from her support group that are in serious trouble.  So I have this young woman in my mind as I choose this week's song, "A More Beautiful You," by Jonny Diaz.

I would imagine that we all have that little voice in us that tells us we're not good enough sometimes. For some it might be occasional, others every day, and sadly others may hear this voice every hour. It seems like it may be more common in girls, but I don't know...steroid use in boys comes to mind.  I even felt myself giving into that voice a bit today.  Whether it's how we look, how we think others see us, our perceptions of our abilities/skills, there are many opportunities for negative thoughts to creep in and take over, even affect our decisions. 

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are

So yes, this is infuriating that young women get this message from the world that they need to change themselves to be successful, to be loved.  And it is our mission as parents to contradict that message, to enable our children to realize their own beauty given to them by God. 

It breaks my heart that a young woman would hurt herself in hopes of reshaping her body into what the world advertises as "beautiful," or hurt herself when she is not able to achieve that beauty.  Her life may depend on someone helping her to change her path.

So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl

I pray that if you know someone in this situation, that you will be able to help them change their path.  But I want you to also consider this, are you also falling into the trap?  Do you listen to those negative thoughts, and act on them?  Perhaps you don't have an eating disorder, but do you give up on yourself because that voice in your head tells you you're not good enough?  Do you feel ugly?

Believe me, as I do most weeks with this blog, I find myself giving myself advice through these posts, not just you.  I need to realize my own beauty at times when I'm feeling low, and not give in to the negative voice.  I hope you can do the same, because God really does love us JUST THE WAY WE ARE.  We have a purpose, and it is a beautiful one. Believe it, live it, rejoice in it!

God bless you all and have a wonderful week.