Today’s Devotional

{Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}

That Christmas. 

  
Written By: Marnie Pouget 

Christmas is by far my favorite holiday. I love decorating the house and the festive spirit that permeates the atmosphere. I love to sit in the peaceful quiet circle of light surrounded by deep inky darkness.Maybe 1500 lights are too many for a Christmas Tree but my tree is larger than life in my cozy living room and it deserves to be dressed well. The effort is well worth the effect and every year I eagerly anticipate those quiet Christmas evenings.  

Every year but last year.

Last year I was confounded by stress and overwhelmed with a deep sadness. I couldn’t pinpoint the exact source of either and the thought of putting up a Christmas Tree paralyzed me. As we became more and more immersed in the season, I became more and more helpless and I felt a growing hopelessness.

Though, we often have three trees gracing our home for the holidays, I had somehow managed to get my family to agree that we didn’t need a tree at all this year. I was beyond thankful for their understanding. (I later learned that they were disappointed at the prospect of a treeless holiday however, didn’t want to put additional pressure on me so they kept their disappointment to themselves.)

A friend encouraged me to put up a tree. Even if it wasn’t perfect. Even if it didn’t have all the decorations on it. No matter what I was feeling, the celebration was necessary for my family……and for me.

My husband brought down the boxes for one of our smaller trees and some of our ornaments. It was still too much. I sat, hedged in by boxes, unsure where to start. My sweet 12 year old daughter asked if it would be okay if she put the tree together and started and I could just sit and watch.

I sat.

I watched and as I did, my spirits were lifted by the way she served and the grace she showed

She decorated the whole tree with the help of her little brothers. It was beautiful…..

…….and just what I needed.

In my evenings that followed, sitting in the circle of grace-filled light, I embraced peace even in the midst of the chaos of my times.

It was a Christmas like none other and one that I won’t likely forget.

Until Next Time, 

~Marnie 

Guest-Writers, Kerrington's Posts, {Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}

The Brutally Honest Christmas Card.

  
Written By: Kerrington Sweeney 
This has been one of the hardest years of my life. I am still on a road of recovery from it. This past year:

In the early spring of this year, I was physically attacked by an unknown sickness. I was emotionally drained and spiritually on a desperate searching quest. In search for something to quench my never-ending thirst of strength in my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Resulting in, me spending a few horrific nights in the Emergency Room…waiting hours and hours in search of answers. That season was absolutely lifeless. No growth took place, rather the roots of a health filled life-style, were ripped out from underneath me. 

I felt weary, defeated, and ragged. My soul was in pieces, scattered around, limp with no life left within me. Failure. Defeated. Worthless. These were the words so often spoken in my mind, on a vicious cycle that seemed to never end. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of mystical voices. I was numb to the Lord’s presence. I had no emotional balance. I was knee-deep in a place of utter chaos and complete confusion. A season of wandering, searching, and questioning. A choice was placed in front of me. Would I begin to take up the quest in hope of finding my authentic purpose once again, or would I continue to lay limp, life-less in a state of exhaustion?

My weary soul felt no reason to pray. No reason to read my Bible and not even an ounce of reason to attend a church service. I was tired. Weak. Ready to, in all honesty, give up. “What was the point anymore?”, I thought. This soul was mine. I, Kerrington, had to take ownership of it. No longer was I being a slave to the fears, raging inside of me. This was not my portion and I knew that I knew, something had to give. 
It was the year full of hardship. Harsh words, temptations, and faithless defeat. Anxiety, unsettledness, sleepless nights, and never-ending tears. Oh, and change. Lots of it.

The year of goodbye to the old and hello to the new. A year of questioning what truly defined me. The year crammed with medical tests and procedures. Ugly moments and real jealousy. It was the year, I truly fell in love and then, got my heart recklessly broken. The year of frequently changing seasons. The year of learning to love and somewhat trust once again. Full of high mountain tops and low valleys of deep feelings and insecure emotions. The year of pursuing, a true balance for my life. 

It was a year of realignment and of a complete shift that took place. A brand new purpose and an intimate calling was being birthed directly into my weary heart, into my very spirit. I would either embrace it with open arms, wholly surrendered or I would resist it, and be shaken to the very core of my being and be tested on my every move. God was calling my heart deeper through this year and I honestly was struggling to trust Him through it all.  

But then friends, Jesus. He came…like a winter snow. He was quiet, soft and slow. Falling from the sky to the earth below. 
I think at times I often forget, especially in the fast-paced culture we abide in, that God is a personal God. We forget that He deserves our undivided attention first and foremost. We just need to Stop. Seek. Pray. Reach and Regenerate. Because, He’s there. 

He’s there in those moments when you could just break down and cry. He’s there celebrating with you in your greatest achievements. He’s there in the stormy crashing waves of life, and He’s there in those moments of sweet peace and stillness. He’s with you in hardship and in worship. In agony and in freedom. He’s always there. 

Dear Readers, Friends and Family, 

Whatever your year may have looked like…just know and believe that God has a purpose for it. The seasons, the circumstances and the situations you walked through have a greater purpose than you can even possibly begin to understand. Whether it was a battle year or a victory year, He was there. The battles you may be fighting or have fought, the hurts you are clenching on to, the bitterness that is building up within you, the struggles that are constantly bombarding your mind…Give them up. 

Hand the keys over to God, let Him begin to lock those things out of your life. Let Him cleanse your weary heart. I know for a fact that He has prosperous plans for you. Hopefully this post has shown you that, I don’t have it all together. I live a real life, just like you. I am fighting battles, and am always learning to give more to God. I am just like you, walking on a journey to a Heavenly Place, our eternal home. I pray with all of my heart, that this vulnerably written post, has empowered you this Christmas Season. 

God bless you and Merry Christmas!

Until Next Time…

President & Founder,

~Kerrington Sweeney

Uncategorized

One Girl. 

  
Written by: Breanne Pierce

One girl’s willingness changed the world.  
Woah. One girl? Yes, one young teenage girl’s humble willingness over two thousand years ago changed the course of history. Her servant heart affects our lives even today. Though Mary is not the Saviour of the world, she played a critical role in God’s plan to save us. She was the one God used through which to send His Son to earth as a baby. God asked a big task of this young girl but He believed in her. He CHOSE her. Wow, wouldn’t you like to be specifically called by God like that? If so, I have incredible news for you.

You are.

You, dear friend, are called by God for a specific purpose. Get excited; He has chosen YOU! He has plans for you and your willingness can change the world, too. Matthew 22:14 (NLT) says, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Though God has placed a call on each of our lives, the chosen are the ones that are willing. Our own response determines whether we are “chosen” or not. God never forces our actions.

Let me warn you that choosing to accept God’s call may be scary. But even more certainly, let me assure you that it will be worth it. It is always worth it to take a step that could bring someone else to salvation. Mary’s assignment was no easy one. Though she conceived the Son of God as a virgin, she risked being stoned to death by people who did not believe this story. Did I mention she was only a young teenager? And imagine, after getting through the pregnancy, she had to raise Jesus; the only perfect human; as her son. An undoubtedly daunting task, no matter what age you are. At times I identify with Mary and feel incredibly inspired by her. I want to have her willing heart! I am a missionary and have been feeling God’s call to go, in the future, to a certain place. This is a potentially quite dangerous place where Christians are persecuted and life is difficult. Could I actually do this? Do I have the courage to knowingly put my life in danger? Would I have the strength to continue to bless my Lord through persecution? These are difficult questions to ask. I want to be like Mary, like Paul, like Daniel, and many others throughout history who have stood strong for their faith. I want to be willing to suffer greatly for God’s Kingdom; all the while deeming it a privilege to suffer alongside Christ.

Philippians 1:29 (NLT): For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

The truth is, not I, nor these Biblical characters, nor has anyone throughout history faced trials or persecution for their faith in their own strength. The only way they were able to get through those circumstances was through the strength that the Lord gave them.

Though God may not be asking you to travel across the world to a dangerous place, He may ask you to do something that is just as far out of your comfort zone. Are you willing? My prayer is that, when you are faced with a situation where you need to step out of your realm of comfort for Christ, that you will remember Mary. Her willingness changed the world. Will yours?

Francesca Battistelli: “Be Born In Me (MARY)”
  
Breanne is an 18 year old missionary who loves Jesus with all her heart. She is the prayer team leader at Uniquely Yours Ministries and is so excited about what God is doing through UYM. Breanne has almost completed her ECE diploma through St. Lawrence College and is leaving soon to spend a year on the mission field in Central America. She feels that God has some exciting, though extremely difficult things in store for her but she is confident that He will always bring her through. While she is still here in Canada, she is often found working hard at school assignments, singing to Jesus/leading worship, reminding herself that she is almost done school, or cooking up either some crazy-delicious international foods or equally delicious hippie, rabbit-food snack. This is her verse:

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” – Isaiah 6:8 NIV

                                                           

Uncategorized

Christmas Spirit 

Written By: Sienna Ducharme

   

Merry Christmas! It’s the most wonderful time of the year! For this month of December (and even some of November, for those enthusiastic enough) we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ into this world as a human baby.

I love Christmas. I enjoy decorating the Christmas tree, eating as many cookies as possible, seeing houses lit up with lights, and giving gifts to my family. But, what I especially love about Christmas is ‘Christmas Spirit’.

Christmas miracles are not a myth, they really happen. Christmas brings people together; it makes people a little kinder. And kindness creates all kinds of miracles. Wasn’t it Christmas Day when Ebenezer Scrooge finally softened his heart?

I have had so many wonderful Christmas experiences during my 18 years, but one in particular comes to mind for me in this moment.  

I was on a family shopping trip in the Detroit area of Michigan, across the border from my home in the Windsor area of Ontario. Typically, being in another country will make you a little more wary of your surroundings, because it isn’t as familiar to you. The holiday spirit really wasn’t in me that day, I was tired from traveling and I wanted to go home.

My family and I were shopping at a large chain store, and as we were checking out we were given a free roast chicken with our purchase. My family is vegetarian, but we accepted the chicken anyway. My family never turns down a good deal. Obviously we weren’t going to eat the chicken, so we had to decide what to do with it. We could bring it home for our dog (who most certainly would have appreciated it) but it didn’t seem at all right to feed a perfectly good roast chicken to a dog.

We exited the store, and wished the man attending a Salvation Army Christmas kettle a Merry Christmas. There wasn’t really anything about him that suggested he was in need, but as we walked to our car, my mom suggested we give the chicken to him. So as we unloaded our purchases in the car, my mom took the chicken back to the front of the store to give to him.

Just take a moment here to understand the situation. That roast chicken was free. We didn’t even know about it until we bought enough stuff to actually be given one at checkout. We also don’t eat chicken, and haven’t for about a decade. That chicken meant nothing to us, but to the man attending the Salvation Army Christmas kettle, that roast chicken meant a whole lot. He didn’t tell my mom why, but I remember that she said he was incredibly emotional and grateful.  

It has stuck with me, his reaction, to that roast chicken that meant nothing to me. It’s difficult to realize the level of blessed you are until something like that happens. I think about him sometimes, hope that he’s okay. Maybe that roast chicken was his Christmas miracle. If it was, I wish I could’ve given him a better one. I like to think that God took care of him that Christmas, gave him what he needed when he really needed it. And I hope God sent some other miracles his way.

I love Christmas because it encourages people to spread a little more kindness, and I believe it is because the Holy Spirit works in people’s hearts in an especially wonderful way during the Christmas Season. Christmas miracles really do happen!

“Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” ~Romans 5:5 

 

Merry Christmas, dear readers!

 

Until Next Time,

~Sienna

Cheyenne's Posts, Guest-Writers

Staff Christmas Memory Countdown! 

  
Written By: Cheyenne Ranta

When you think of Christmas, you think of presents, twinkling lights and snow falling outside your warm, cozy house. You stress about getting the “perfect” gift, whether it’s for your brother, sister, parents, or friends. You’re preparing your house and baking all sorts of mouth-watering foods for your Christmas party. You run from one end of the house to the other, making sure everything is just right. The aroma from your freshly baked apple pie is filling the house.

You stop to take a deep breath, taking in the smell! Your house is full of loved ones and laughter! Gathered around the warm fire you know that all the long hours of preparation was worth it. Everyone enjoyed the tasty food and complimented your beautiful decorations. You smile, thinking “Everything is perfect!”
But is it?
While you’re out trying to find that perfect gift, baking, decorating and having your house filled with loved ones, remember that there is someone out there dreaming for just that. Some do not know what it’s like to be surrounded by friends and family for the holidays or even at all! There are some that have approached Christmas with dread. Many families spend the holidays with endless fighting, refusing to take responsibility for their actions. Christmas can bring financial burdens to families, making Christmas shopping stressful. Then there is a loss of a loved one that causes the aching of the heart when you see the empty chair. There are many that Christmas brings heartache to.
We are so absorbed in our own lives that we don’t even realize that there are so many people who would “die” to have what we have, while we selfishly want more. Some of us may be blessed enough to have all the exciting things that comes along with Christmas, but that’s not really what it’s all about.
I don’t know what you are going through, but I know personally that Christmas has not always been cheerful.
When I accepted Jesus into my heart, He gave me Hope, Joy, and Peace! He gave me a new outlook on things! He helped me to realize that you may not have the best decorated house, or you might not get to see your family or your heart may be aching from your loss, but take comfort.  
No matter where God has placed you, let me encourage you that Jesus is, and always will be,

the Perfect Gift.
Until Next Time,

~Cheyenne

Guest-Writers, UYM

{The Diamond Movement} Day 26!

The Diamond Movement

Written By: Marnie Pouget

Over the years in our time working with teenagers at a summer camp, we have instituted a tradition called “The Encouragement Box”. Every day everyone that lives in the Farmhouse has opportunity to write a note of real encouragement to another person in “the house”. We get to spend time with some amazing teens. 

One particular week this summer, I wrote a note to sweet Kaylee. Kaylee is a blond haired, blue eyed beauty with a smile that is infectious and a love for Jesus that overflows. She loves to talk and loves to sing. She bubbles over with joy. The following night she read this letter in response to the encouragement she had received:

“She will laugh at the days to come.”

That was the first time someone quoted Proverbs 31 to ME. For ME. Directed AT ME. 

I was confused. It had always been, “You’re almost there, YOU just need ________.” or “Maybe you can work on __________.”
But this time it was different. I was enough. I was classified as a Proverbs 31 woman. That was something I had never been before. And maybe I wasn’t EVERYTHING she was but I was something. And something was more than I had ever been. Maybe that was good and maybe that was bad. Because if I went 16 years without being told that any part of myself was even relatively equivalent to an ideal Godly woman, then how long were those around me waiting? 
As a society we are so quick to judge those around us and criticize them instead of affirm them. Nobody is a perfect Godly person, and female Christians are constantly compared to this perfect woman. Now that’s not necessarily a bad thing; we should all strive for something. But the thing about a Proverbs 31 woman is you gain a new understanding of it piece by piece, not all at once.

So now, it’s time to affirm each piece we see and this time to not let it be paired with criticism. There is a time for both but more often than not they should be apart. Make today the age of affirmation not of antagonization.

You are worth more than rubies.

Joanna – you are kind and gentle: Proverbs 31:26

Kelly – you are wise and respected: Proverbs 31:26

Taylor – you have a gentle spirit and make light of tough situations when needed : 31:25-26

Maddie – you are a diligent worker: 31:27, 31:13-24

Gretchen – you are willing to serve at any time: 31:13

Kim – you watch out for other’s best interests: 31:11-12

Kate – you are compassionate: 31:20

McKenna – you laugh at the day to come and have a gentle spirit: 31:25-26”

Dear friends, we all need to be encouraged and reminded that we are worth more than rubies. Let’s take Kaylee’s challenge and encourage our sisters of their worth.

“Make today the age of affirmation not of antagonization.”

Until Next Time,

Marnie

Guest-Writers, UYM

{The Diamond Movement} Day 25!

The Diamond Movement

Written By: Marnie Pouget
Over the years in our time working with teenagers at a summer camp, we have instituted a tradition called “The Encouragement Box”. Every day everyone that lives in the Farmhouse has opportunity to write a note of real encouragement to another person in “the house”. We get to spend time with some amazing teens. 

One particular week this summer, I wrote a note to sweet Kaylee. Kaylee is a blond haired, blue eyed beauty with a smile that is infectious and a love for Jesus that overflows. She loves to talk and loves to sing. She bubbles over with joy. The following night she read this letter in response to the encouragement she had received:

“She will laugh at the days to come.”

That was the first time someone quoted Proverbs 31 to ME. For ME. Directed AT ME. 

I was confused. It had always been, “You’re almost there, YOU just need ________.” or “Maybe you can work on __________.”

But this time it was different. I was enough. I was classified as a Proverbs 31 woman. That was something I had never been before. And maybe I wasn’t EVERYTHING she was but I was something. And something was more than I had ever been. Maybe that was good and maybe that was bad. Because if I went 16 years without being told that any part of myself was even relatively equivalent to an ideal Godly woman, then how long were those around me waiting? 

As a society we are so quick to judge those around us and criticize them instead of affirm them. Nobody is a perfect Godly person, and female Christians are constantly compared to this perfect woman. Now that’s not necessarily a bad thing; we should all strive for something. But the thing about a Proverbs 31 woman is you gain a new understanding of it piece by piece, not all at once.

So now, it’s time to affirm each piece we see and this time to not let it be paired with criticism. There is a time for both but more often than not they should be apart. Make today the age of affirmation not of antagonization.

You are worth more than rubies.

Joanna – you are kind and gentle: Proverbs 31:26

Kelly – you are wise and respected: Proverbs 31:26

Taylor – you have a gentle spirit and make light of tough situations when needed : 31:25-26

Maddie – you are a diligent worker: 31:27, 31:13-24

Gretchen – you are willing to serve at any time: 31:13

Kim – you watch out for other’s best interests: 31:11-12

Kate – you are compassionate: 31:20

McKenna – you laugh at the day to come and have a gentle spirit: 31:25-26”

Dear friends, we all need to be encouraged and reminded that we are worth more than rubies. Let’s take Kaylee’s challenge and encourage our sisters of their worth.

“Make today the age of affirmation not of antagonization.”
Until Next Time,

Marnie

Guest-Writers, UYM

{The Diamond Movement} Day 24!

The Diamond Movement

Written By: Marisa Dech

Not many people know about my struggle with anxiety. However, when I was asked to write a piece to empower women, I knew I had to be real and tackle this topic that I know so many people battle. 
“The struggle [was] real.”  

Literally. In high school I would struggle. Not for a day, a week, or even a year, but for all four never ending years. I struggled with immense feelings of loneliness and worthlessness. I was very insecure in who I was and high school just made it all feel like I was on a big stage and everyone was staring at me. I did not like attention, in fact I never have being the quiet, introverted person I am.

On top of that, I struggled with chronic pain and sickness to which no doctor could really give me an answer and caused me to miss A LOT of school.

 I began to have problems with teachers. Although most seemed to somehow understand my situation, there were the odd few that just seemed to have no sympathy or understanding for what I was going through. This led to some of my grades being…not so excellent.

This would be the least of my worries, except that my parents have really high standards (they always have). They tried to understand but eventually seemed to give up on me. This hurt more than anything in the world. I turned to my friends who thankfully took me in. This emotional pain became very real and I was now completely overwhelmed at school and struggled on a regular basis not to break down crying in class. 

What I didn’t fully understand at the time was that my parents had a lot of problems of their own; which was evident in all the arguments and awkward silence. 

I struggled daily, but I can honestly say that God was there more than ever during those hard times. He was there with me when I soaked my pillow with tears, He was holding my hand through all the physical and emotional pain. He hugged me as I considered taking the precious life He had given me. He was also there with me as I worshipped my heart out, despite it all.

 I found God in the very beginning of my high school years and I can without a doubt say, I wouldn’t have made it through without Him. He was my friend when I felt I had none, He was a parent when mine grew weary, He was a healer when no doctor could fix me! 

God calls us to trust Him completely, to “find rest in Him alone, for He is our refuge, our rock, He will not be shaken!” (Psalm 62)  

He says that He is here to help, He will not let us down!

“We have this amazing hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19)  

He invites us to “cast all [our] anxiety on Him because he cares for [us].” (1 Peter 5:7)

He reassures us that the struggle will “certainly come to an end and will not delay!” (Habakkuk 2:3)

 I am overjoyed to say that I have greatly overcome my anxiety and panic attacks. While I do still fight this battle I know that I am not alone in it. I am able to find rest in the King of Kings who steadies my heart.

About Marisa:

Marisa is 21 years old. She is the first born of two children; who grew up in the house her family built in Essex, Ontario. Although Marisa has always felt a strong connection to God, her relationship with Him truly began when she was 14. She enjoys children of all ages and personalities but she has a particular interest in individuals with autism. She currently works as an early childhood educator assistant, a respite worker, and a direct care worker in a group home. Currently she is taking courses online to achieve her E.C.E. diploma. Some of her passions include teaching, learning to cook, figure skating, baking, event planning, reading, and languages. She looks forward to the future with her significant other, Jonathan, who loves her unconditionally in the way God made her.

Guest-Writers, UYM

{The Diamond Movement} Day 21!

The Diamond Movement

Written By: Cierra Fulps

Worth is often a word to express the price or monetary value of an object. Have you ever gone to a garage sale and picked up an object, only to ask yourself, “I wonder how much this is really worth”?

Have you ever asked yourself how much you really are worth?

Proverbs 31:10 states WE are far more worth than rubies.

We could never put a price tag on our worth. All through life, in job interviews, college, and maybe even a future spouse, the question “Is she really worth the effort?” will come to the surface. At job interviews, they’ll ask you what you bring to the table. They think, “Is she worth the training time.” In today’s society people measure our worth by the qualities and strengths we have.

BUT in Jesus’ eyes, we are really worth it. We were worth DYING for. God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to our rescue. Jesus took on our sin and our punishment. Why did Jesus take on our punishment? He thought we were really worth it.

We mustn’t put our worth in this world. Young ladies, your worth isn’t determined by your getting asked to prom or not. Your worth isn’t determined by your getting accepted into the number one school or not. Your worth isn’t determined by you having the hottest clothes or not. Your worth isn’t in your degree. Your worth has already been determined! Our Heavenly Father has determined your worth! You are worth more than diamonds! Who says, you might ask? Jesus says!

You have a purpose in this life, whether your purpose is writing blogs, singing at church, going into the mission field, being a nurse, or a teacher. Don’t feel like you have to go into ministry in order to work for God’s kingdom! If you are alive, you have purpose and worth. My calling may be different than yours, but that doesn’t make your calling any less important. God gave us a passion, and God gave us a fire in our soul! Use it. If you don’t know your calling in life, that’s okay!

Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” Declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The Lord has a plan for your life. Don’t think because you’re not sure what that plan is that you don’t have worth in this life.

You have worth, a worth that surpasses the worth of diamonds.

About Cierra: 

Cierra Fulps is an 18-year-old college freshman from the Great Lake State of Michigan. She is pursuing a career in nursing. She one day hopes to take her degree to Haiti for medical missions. Her passions include photography, writing, and being a light for Jesus. Her relationship with Christ really began in her teenage years. Every day she is in awe of Jesus and is continually learning how to strengthen her relationship with God and to share that with people around her.

Guest-Writers, UYM

{The Diamond Movement} Day 20!

The Diamond Movement

Written By: K Keeler

Proverbs 31: 10 (Message Bible)

         A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.

Ladies, the Lord our God and Creator of the heavens and earth has made us, “… worth far more than diamonds.” How blessed are we to be created in His divine image?

It is so exciting to sit here and think about the fact that I am beautiful in the eyes of our Lord. Who cares what society thinks is ” beautiful” when I have God telling me that I was created in His image and that I am perfect the way that I am right now. I hope that you ladies feel the same way.

When I was five years old, I broke out with a flaky rash known as psoriasis. I went to several doctors to see what it was and if there was any way for me to get rid of it. I soon learned that it was hereditary, from my fathers side of the family, and that I will likely have it for the rest of my life. They gave me lotions and things to keep it under control but I will never fully rid my body of this skin disease.

I’m going to be honest with you, ladies. This rash is ugly. My body is covered in little pink, flaky spots like polka dots. But girls, this rash doesn’t make ME ugly. Growing up with this skin disease has taught me so much! One thing it taught me is that I am beautiful because God made me so. I was created in His image, and a silly rash will never take that away from me.

So take this verse into your heart and let God speak to you through it. Allow His words to give you confidence. Life your life to the fullest knowing that you are, “… worth far more than diamonds.”

I pray that you all find your worth in Jesus Christ. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.