Dear Grace,

It’s hard being a girl sometimes.

When I was a young girl, I was very self-conscious about the way that I looked. I didn’t like my hair. I didn’t like my freckles. I didn’t like my skinny legs. I didn’t like my skin.

I was insecure.

But I’ll never forget the surprising answer to a question I used to ask myself. I used to give myself the freedom to wonder, if I could look like anyone else, who would it be?

And you know, no matter what – the answer was always ‘myself’.

Okay, so what if I could just change one thing, my nose…my hair..my mouth…?

No.  I didn’t desire it, I didn’t want to change a thing.  I just wanted to be the most beautiful me that I could be.

I didn’t understand at that time but now I can look back and see that despite my insecurities, I knew deep down in my soul that I was exactly who God created me to be.

Every hair on my head.

 Fearfully and wonderfully made.

I don’t want you to experience those insecurities, I want you to know now my sweet girl where true beauty comes from.

I want you to see yourself as God sees you.

It’s okay to love to dress up, as long as your self worth isn’t hanging in your closet.

 It’s okay to dance and be goofy and have fun, as long as it comes from a place of joy and not a need for attention.

 Laughter is a beautiful thing as long as it’s not at the expense of others.

This is my prayer for you my beautiful daughter, that you understand that beauty comes from the way that you love.  And that you know God’s unfailing love for you, from head to toe, inside and out.

And every inch of your silly face.