A wise man once said, “Do not try to be anything other than what you are, and try to be that, perfectly.”
God told the prophet Jeremiah that He knew him, even before He had placed him in his mother’s womb. He had consecrated Jeremiah, and set him apart as a prophet.
Each of us is wonderfully made, created by God to be unique, non-repeatable persons. Each of us, too, has been set apart with a purpose and mission in life; it is ours, alone.
Why then, do so many of us spend so much time comparing ourselves to others—magnifying our faults and weaknesses as we gauge our worth and success against the misperceived notions we have about those around us? The person next to us becomes what we “think” he or she is; the truth, as only God knows it, may be something quite different from what we perceive.
It’s even more complicated for those of us who are females. Store magazine racks clearly demonstrate the double standard society has thrust upon young girls in the modern world. I recently saw the cover of a magazine called, “Girls’ Life.” It featured an attractive young lady, surrounded by blurb phrases that said things like, “Steal her beauty secrets,” “Fashion: how to slay on the first day,” and “Wake up pretty.” Next to it, was a copy of “Boys’ Life.” The two could not have been more different. No person’s image was featured here at all. Instead, in big, bold letters, the cover was plastered with the phrase, “Explore your future” and the surrounding area was covered with all sorts of images symbolic of various careers, such as a microscope, law enforcement badge, fire fighter’s helmet and a military assault vehicle. The blurb said, “Be what you want to be! We’ll show you how!” Pretty stark difference, eh?
It’s no wonder so many young women suffer from self-image disorders and depression. From a young age, girls are being taught that they must “measure up” on a surface-beauty level in order to be worthy or successful.
Why not arrange magazine covers geared toward female audiences to inspire them to use all their God-given talents, mind, body and soul, to think, reason, create, invent, nurture, dream, aspire, and achieve, rather than simply pitting them against each other (I.e. “steal” her beauty?) and hinting that they are not yet good enough, but can be if only they use the right cosmetics and fashion accessories?
I chose the title of this post after seeing a wooden block sculpture/painting with those words on it in a store. I loved it. I am thinking of making more for my six daughters and daughter-in-law for Christmas, this year.
Be. You. Tiful.
Attention, girls: You were known to God before He placed you in your mother’s womb. You don’t need make-up secrets, designer labels, hidden agendas, or a certain size bust or waistline to be beautiful.
You need never be anything other than exactly what you are to the best of your own ability.
Writer Bio
Judy Dudich resides in the beautiful woods of Pennsylvania, where 24 acres of land and a home-office provide the perfect setting for her children’s home-education and her own homesteading and business ventures. Life is full of blessings (and challenges!) for Judy, as a wife, mother of 10 and Grammy to six. She is a published author, whose book, “I Surrender/A Study Guide for Women” continues to encourage and support others in Christian family lifestyles throughout the world. Judy has also previously worked in the online speaking circuit. Her passion for permaculture, re-purposing, foraging and organic gardening fills her days with learning and adventure that she loves to share.
