A Women of Value

There I was, staring in the mirror. Glowing. I finally liked me.

For many years I tried to mimic the models of the world. I bought into lies that we are desirable only as physical satisfiers, starting with the eyes.

Destructive tapes played in my head during critical years of development. Comparisons: Why can't I be more like her? Envy: I want to be as beautiful as she is. Dissatisfaction: I can never look like that. Despair: Why bother? I'm worthless.

Then I attended a seminar with speaker Pat Self. Although I wore my mask well, when we talked Pat intuitively sensed my downcast spirit. She asked, "Do you ever try to pretend to the outside world that your life is perfect, when on the inside it's in shambles?"

Pat taught me how to replace my mentally destructive tapes with new messages. She explained that my worth is based on how Jesus sees me - not culture, not my past. I will be thankful forever for out paths crossing. Now I can look in the mirror with a glow of hope and excitement. You and I both are valuable to God our Creator.

Judi Reid

Judi G. Reid advocates for women to know they are valuable to God. As a writer and teacher, she illuminates truth behind lies of our sexualized culture. Learn more at www.WomenOfValue.org

This quote taken from the 2013 Edition: Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude: (from the Gratitude Book Project Team)