make up your mind, little one...not your face.

Today, I had the privilege of taking my little sister to her basketball tournament that was 1 1/2 hours away. It wasn’t a bad day if you don’t mind being stuck in an echo-y dark gym, surrounded by hyper 6th graders and cheering moms that are overly involved in a game in which the sum of the total points is less than 30. And to think that I have the joy of experiencing all of this again tomorrow as my sister’s team plays for 3rd place. All joking aside, my sister is quite good...takes after me :)

Something that I saw at these games made me sick. A vast majority of these little girls were wearing tons of make up. First of all, it’s a basketball game, and I’ve never understood why people cake on the make up if they’re just going to sweat it all off anyway. Secondly, they’re 6th graders!!! Why are these little precious girls, these 11 and 12 year old girls, wearing make up?? They don’t even have pimples yet!

These innocent little girls are growing up in a much harsher society than I did. “If you don’t look a certain way, you’re not pretty. If you don’t act a certain way, you’re not accepted. If you can’t do anything for me, you’re not worth my time.” Basically, if you don’t measure up to someone else’s definition of perfection, you are an outcast. 

Now, maybe this was the same mindset that people had when I was young, but I certainly can’t recall. I don’t remember feeling like I had to be fake to win friends. I didn’t start wearing make up until I was at least 15 years old; I never thought I needed it. Even now, at 21, I still don’t wear that much make up. I’m not saying that I’m flawless, because everyone knows that I’m not. I’m fat and I still get pimples. I still struggle with insecurities. In fact, everyday, when I wake up in the morning, I look in the mirror and say “Stephanie, you are beautiful.” Most days I have to say it over and over before I start believing it. 

The point is that these 11 year old gems should still believe that they are princesses and dream of fairytales, not be concerned with their physical appearance. If this is starting at 11, what happens at 13 when make up no longer makes the cut? 15? 

2 things are coming to my mind right now. 1) I’m so thankful that I had parents that complimented me and took time to hold me and tell me how valuable I am. I’m so blessed that I had a father that took time for me and dared me to dream. Where would I be today if I hadn’t had that affirmation at home? And 2) I’m so thankful that I have a Father in Heaven Who smiles when He looks at me. I’m so blessed that I have a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe, the very same Creator that designed every sunset, every single snowflake, and ME. Where would I be if my identity wasn’t found in Christ? 

Moms, dads, big brothers, big sisters: take your little sister/brother into your arms and tell them how beautiful/handsome they are, that they are flawless the way they are, affirm and encourage them. They are dealing with so much pressure to look and act a certain way. Society is influencing little girls and shaping their thoughts as to what beauty is and it’s YOUR job to tell your little person what TRUE beauty is and from where, or Who, it comes. And above all, tell them that their identity is found in Christ and in Christ alone. 

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.”

~Psalm 139:13-14

We can’t overlook the little people anymore. 

if the door isn't supposed to open...why is there a doorknob?

You know, it’s so easy for me to write about God’s goodness when I’m in the middle of it. And talking about trusting God is great when life is easy, but when it’s hard, I suddenly lose my words. It becomes difficult, but sometimes, you just need to talk about it, even if it doesn't sound right.

Today, I got a letter in the mail from one of the corporations with which I interviewed for a summer accounting internship. Needless to say, I didn’t get the position and I’m not a happy camper. This is the 3rd intern position from which I have been denied access. I am not upset or hurt, just plain angry. I can’t understand why I’m not getting anything. I have a strong resume, lots of work experience, a well developed work ethic, and I have worked my butt off for my GPA. I am not a cocky or conceited person, but, due to God’s blessings and my upbringing, it’s easy to see that I am well qualified. 

God, what’s the deal? 

Something like this happened my freshman year in college. I saw college as the “land of opportunity”, which it is, but God-given opportunities have a specific time, place, and reason. College had many of the things that my heart has desired for so long: worship missions, music groups, and lots of leadership positions. I tried out/auditioned/applied for everything...and I didn’t get placed in any of them. I was heartbroken. Why would God flash so many opportunities in front of my face just to let them vanish when I blinked? I couldn’t understand what God was doing. At the same time, God gave me a picture, but of course, I had no idea what it meant. 

This was the picture: I was at a party or reception of some kind. A very classy reception. All the guys were wearing tuxedoes and the girls were wearing formal gowns. I was standing all by myself near a table at the back of the room. My dad (which wasn’t really my dad, but in the picture, he was) was off talking with some handsome young man. They both started walking over to me and once my father was standing to my left, and said “Here, let me introduce you to my daughter.” and he gently ushered the young man to stand directly in front of me. End of picture.

I thought that this picture meant that I was getting a boyfriend, but I was wrong. It wasn’t until March that the meaning became apparent and I will never forget the feeling that came over me. I had just finished having an evening out with my parents. My dad dropped my mom off at the hotel and then took me back to the dorm. I was sitting in my dad’s car in lower lot, crying, talking about all that was going on in my life and I randomly told my dad about the picture. As soon as I finished telling him, it clicked. 

God is faithful. I love that sometimes He recalls to my mind something that He’s done or said earlier in my life. 

God was telling me that I needed to wait until He introduced me to what He wants me to do, and it’s still true for today. He knows my heart and the dreams that He’s given me, but more importantly, He knows His plans for my life; they all will come together in His time. Is He telling me to sit still and do nothing? Of course not. God is bring it to me, but I still have to go to the party. I’m on the look out, watching for what God is going to do, listening for the invitation, searching for the opportunity that holds the introduction.  

This isn’t over. 

So, God, here I am again, without direction, without plans. Even though I don’t see what’s up ahead and I don’t know where You’re leading me, I choose to trust You. My life is in Your hands. Give me patience and peace in the midst of uncertainty. Prepare me for the introduction.