Wonderfully Made

I recently posted on the Luther Heights Facebook page some wildflower photos I took around camp this summer. Gorgeous purple prairie shooting star in the meadow, pink and yellow columbine off a trail at Lake Alturas, and Indian paintbrush mixed in with other wildflower friends of yellows and purples. When I visited a friend in Glacier National Park in July, I was also amazed by all the wildflowers tucked among the rocks and grass, peaking out from snow patches and under trees. Thriving in the short summer, no one protecting them or watering them, and yet they tirelessly bloom in large patches, reaching for the sun.

This might seem like a weird pivot, but stick with me: Have you ever been in a shame spiral, where one thing catapults you into a pit of despair and you haven’t said one nice thing about yourself in the last million thoughts? You miss a deadline and now you’re a failure at your job. You yelled at your kid and now you’re the worst mom ever. You’re failing as a wife because the dishes and laundry are piling up. One glimpse of yourself after a shower and now you hate every single part of your body.

The shame spiral strikes again. “You’re a failure, you are not enough, you are not worthy.” These thoughts won’t get out of your head. I’ve been in that negative space too many times. In fact, I started my small business out of a shame spiral. I felt so tired, defeated and worthless, and I needed to prove to myself I am strong and capable and worthy. I started sharing positive messages of belonging and affirmation with others, not knowing then how powerful they would be with friends and strangers. We were all craving reminders of how worthy we are, how we are enough just as we are, and how cared for we are by our loving God. I want to encourage women to know their strength and their worth.

It’s amazing how much care God puts into wildflowers, making each one unique and beautiful, allowing them to flourish in the meadows and mountains, between rocks and under shade, poking out from snow toward the sunshine. Each one waving its petals in the wind, leaves reaching out to say hello. No one might ever see those little blooms on that mountain over there, but the patch is there, just the same.

Don’t you think if God can put that much care into each bloom, He can put that much care into you?

You are God’s handiwork, wonderfully made, undoubtedly worthy. Created with the care of our gracious God.