Birthmark.

It's not often that people vocally acknowledge my birthmark.

Everyone once in a while I'll notice someone looking at me a little funny, but most of the time people just ignore it, don't saying anything about it, or know me well enough to not even notice it anymore.

Today was a rare, but wonderful, instance in which someone did notice, did comment, and absolutely made my day.

On my way back to work from dropping Clay off at work I swung by Target to get a granola bar and a coffee from Starbucks. I quickly got my granola bar, hurried to the checkout, proceeded to check out and quickly stepped over to the little Starbucks counter in a rush to get back to work.

When I stepped up to order the women at the cash register, very politely, asked, "Is that a birthmark?" I said yes. She asked if I have had it since I was little, and I said yes. She proceeded to tell me that her daughter has a birthmark on each cheek and that she is always telling her that she is unique and beautiful with her special marks. I agreed with her and told her that having a birthmark is unique and part of who I am. She thanked me for sharing and encouraging her, proceeded to make my drink, and thanked me again for sharing before I left.

Though it was a small interaction it inspired me and made me smile.

A small conversation about being comfortable in your own skin...those can be hard conversations to have. Honestly, there was a time when I thought about having my birthmark removed, but I am so glad I didn't. My birthmark is a part of me and is a part of who God made me.

It is situations like this that encourage and inspire me to get involved and help young girls learn to be comfortable in their own skin. To be proud of who they are, confident in who the Lord has made them. Whether they have a birthmark or some other "quirk" I hope to inspire girls to love who they are because they are beautiful the way God sees beautiful. Worldly views on beauty are constantly skewed and today I was reminded by a sweet lady at Starbucks how being confident in who God made me (physically and otherwise) can impact other people, even with a simple conversation.

It has taken me quite a few years to get to this point, but I can now say this and believe it:
Be proud of you. The Lord made you in HIS image, and because of HIS love for you you are more beautiful than you may ever imagine. You are perfect because HE made you uniquely and to be uniquely HIS.

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