My daughters have a new game. They call it “naked lion.” It’s a pre-bath ritual in which they strip down to their birthday suits and chase each other through the house, pretending to be farm and zoo animals.
Seriously. I can’t make this stuff up.
“I’m a naked horse!” my five-year-old yells as she whizzes past the bathroom door.
“I be a nay-kee lion!” little sister follows, sputtering trails of laughter in her wake. And off they go, galloping and roar-roar-roaring from room to room until I catch their wiggly bodies and wrangle them into the tub.
It’s all very amusing. In fact, part of me is a tiny bit jealous. My children are so comfortable in their own skin. When did I learn to be ashamed of mine?
Somewhere along the road to growing up, I got it in my head that I have flaws. So I choose clothing and hairstyles and cosmetics designed to hide. I grumble at my reflection in the mirror. I tilt my head a certain way for cameras so nobody snaps a poor feature. I stare at other women and wish for their hair, their complexion, their petite and pedicured feet.
Ridiculous. Right?
Oh. You do it, too.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. . . . God saw all that he had made, and it was very good,” (Genesis 1:27, 31a).
God created us. We are his works of art, each one of us—wonderfully made, Psalm 139 says. More than that, he created us in his own image. And declared it was very good!
Do you see where I’m going with this? God thinks we’re beautiful. Who are we to disagree?
“Girls, the tub is ready!” I call from the bathroom as my wild animals zoom down the hall.
“Nay-kee lyyyyyyyyon, roaaaaaar!” My toddler runs toward me, giggling and breathless. I scoop her up— gotcha!—and nuzzle her soft Buddha tummy with my nose. She is so proud of that fat belly.
I send up a silent prayer. Lord, never let her be ashamed of your masterpiece.
Child, the Lord whispers to my heart—you are my masterpiece, too.
* * * * * * * *
Linking up with Coffee for Your Heart.
If this post encouraged you, please pass it on. You might also like Spilled Milk, Precious In My Sight, and On Dreams, Contentment, and Spaghetti.
That hits so close to home. I am very quick to see the beauty in my children and in others but never in myself. What a great reminder… And also, that game sounds hilarious and awesome!
How sweet! Yes, we do tend to lose sight of our beauty, unfortunately.
You reminded me of a story from when our oldest was a toddler. She was the first grandchild on my husband’s side. When one of my hubbie’s brothers came to visit, our 2 year old daughter had stripped down and was running around the living room in circles, singing and being downright joyful. My brother in law looked at us in horror and asked if that’s the way all kids were.
I still laugh about it to this day.
I’m laughing, too, Kim! Thanks for sharing that story.
I can certainly relate to this – my boys are streakers too! Bathtime at our house involves them jumping in and out and streaking throughout the house, with me running behind them trying to keep them from slipping! 🙂
But yes, we are wonderfully made. I use plenty of products to “cover up” too. I wish I had their pride.
Love this! My daughter is the same way! I love the message in this post!
Thanks for sharing. I too have girls who loving nakedness before bath time and have the abandon of being free to love the way their bodies look. I pray they continue to recognize their beauty as they age and their bodies change.
Megan
So, so cute. And may we know we ARE His masterpieces no matter what!
Blessings to you..
~Jacque
Thank you for the reminder. I needed to read this today. I used to write CHRIST on my mirror so I could always see why I was beautiful. It’s hard to focus on flaws when His name is written on your face.
-Jessa
http://herejessa.blogspot.com/
Wow, that is powerful, Jessa. I think I’m going to get out my window markers now…
What an encouragement you are! You honor Him well with your words.
~ Jennifer
Oh, yes. It’s much easier to accept that our children are His masterpieces than the fact that we are, too. Thank you for listening to His voice–and for sharing it!
What a beautiful, powerful and real post! I’m visiting from Holley Gerth’s link up, and so glad I did. I can relate to not becoming comfortable in my own skin.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Kristin! Let’s both be more like those naked little kiddos, yes? We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Becky-What a relatable post! I have 3 little fellas who like to wear there birthday suits as well. The bible tells us to be like little children. I’ve never related that to how I see my physical self, but this was a good reminder. It was nice to find you through Coffee For The Heart. 🙂 Thx for linking up!
Thanks so much for stopping by from Holley’s place, Jacqui! I think our kids have many lessons for us if we look closely enough, don’t you agree? Sometimes I don’t like what I see 🙂 but I’m willing to humble myself to be more like them. Blessings to you and your little guys!
So adorable…and so true. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face and new insight to my heart! XO
Thanks so much for reading and for hosting Coffee for Your Heart, Holley. I appreciate your ministry to us all!