Unblemished in His eyes

Lately my skin has been breaking out like crazy.  Maybe an exaggeration to some, but I guess it’s true that you’re your own worst critic.  The angry red dots on my forehead consume my thoughts and drive me absolutely nuts.  I hate wearing coverup to begin with, let alone spending more time than I’d like to admit in front of the mirror perfecting my makeup and concealer, and when I’m convinced it’s finally acceptable, I find myself running back to the mirror every other minute to examine and critique my face again.  It’s a vicious cycle that is exhausting and doesn’t solve anything.  Plus all that time is usually a waste because I end up shoving a hat on my head in frustration before rushing out the door.  On top of that, I feel guilty that I’m even stressing about the clarity of my skin, because I know there are so many more important things.  I can name more than one.  But the most important by far is that it’s so opposite of what my Dad thinks of me.  Not my earthly dad.  My REAL one, the One who created the stars and has the hairs on my head counted.  He doesn’t see my blemishes, and I'm talking about ALL my blemishes, not just the ones on my face.  Not because of anything that I did, but because what Christ did for me.  Because something amazing happens when you surrender your life to Jesus.  He lives in YOU! And God no longer sees my sins and all the wrong that I’ve done.  All the times I’ve broken His heart and tried to run from His love and live life my own way by my own rules, thinking it would fulfill me and make me happy.  Even if it did make me happy for a while, I always ended up hungrier for something more.  What great news that there IS something more.  A life lived for Jesus is filled with more purpose, worth, joy, and love than I could ever have imagined.  Because of Jesus, I can stand before God as if I’ve never sinned, because Jesus took our sin and seperated it as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).  A sparkling clean, unstained life with no shame that I don't deserve but have anyway.  How can I not be overwhelmed and totally rocked by this amazing grace? My blemishes don't define me anymore. Jesus does.   So there’s a new post it note in the middle of my mirror as a reminder.  Psalm 139:14…“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”