Loving yourself

As Americans, we are bombarded everyday with media that makes us very aware of our lack or inadequacies, with the hopes that through this realization, we'll buy what their selling to make us better. While on one hand, this is a terrific marketing strategy, it also does a number on your spirit and self-worth.

For many people, myself included, we believe this lie so strongly, that when we encounter someone else who is "worse-off" than we are, we can't even imagine how they deal with their own value and worth. I wrestle on a regular basis with the notion of how people who are hungry, or who have less income than I do, could be significantly happier, have healthier relationships, and genuinely love better than I do.

I have believed the lie that more "stuff" will make me happier, healthier, whole. 

God has a gentle, and sometimes firm, way of reminding me that His ways are not my ways. The order in which man-kind sees themselves and others is usually not how He sees us or views us. 

Toward the end of January, myself, along with April Allen and Stephanie Jenkins, headed over to Haiti to be with the children and young-adults we love so dearly. April is an author, among other things, and has written a children's book called "I Love Being Me." We had planned to do a book reading with the kids with a discussion time afterwards. In my mind, I assumed these children might struggle with self-worth like I did at their age, and to some extent, I'm sure they do. Given their circumstances, I assumed (wrongfully so) that they would have a very hard time answering April's discussion questions.  But their ability to self-love, and to love each other astounded me. 

April asked them after the book was finished what they loved about themselves.

The chatter and clammer among the kids was exciting to see.
​So many hands flew in the air. One boy loved his knees. One loved his big ears.  

And Camitha loved her bent hand. 

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You see, Camitha has cerebral palsy, and her right hand little-to-no mobility. She could let this defeat her. She could wallow because she is different and can't do everything her peers can. But she knows who she is, and who she was created to be. She loves her hand, and her body the way it is. She can glorify God through the gifts He has given her, and she can love people in a way I can only hope to.  

​My prayer for myself, and for all of us, is to see who it is that God made us all to be, and to love that person. Love the things that are amazing, beautiful, and tremendous about yourself. But love the things you struggle with, love the pains and the issues you have.  You are who you were created to be. And that is beautiful enough. 

​Just like Camitha.

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Want to show some love to your self, or someone else this Valentine's Day? Sponsoring a child's education is an amazing way to share LOVE!  

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