Beautiful

I had to wait in line to get in, but it was worth it. When he spotted me his face lit up and he hurried through the crowd. A seventh grader with blue eyes, blond curls, and dimples, he was one of my favorite students. Over his difficulties with math and language arts we had formed a special bond. That was why I was here. I couldn't be anywhere else. When he reached me he grabbed my hand and said, "Come on. I want you to meet my mother." He pulled me toward the front of the room and I followed. I was reluctant, but I what else could I do? This half boy, half man needed me and I would not refuse him.

"Isn't she beautiful?" he asked softly still holding tightly to my hand as we looked down at her earthly remains lying on a bed of pink satin. No. What cancer had done to her not even the undertaker had been able to disguise. But, then again she wasn't my mother and to him she was indeed beautiful. "Yes," I said and squeezed his hand.

Over ten years have passed since that day. That student is now a man and I have taken another career path, but I will never forget the lesson of that moment. Beauty is subjective, but when seen through the eyes of love the not so beautiful becomes a thing of great beauty. When my Heavenly Father looks at me, He looks past the ravages of sin and bad choices. He doesn't see the ugliness of my addictions and mistakes. Seen through the blood of His son, the proof of His love for me, I AM BEAUTIFUL and so are you. Rest in His love today and know You are His creation, He loves you, and YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

I have loved you with an everlasting love... Jeremiah 31:3