I walked into the locker room at the gym the other day when a woman passed me, smiled, and said out of the blue,

“You’re pretty.”

I did sort of a double take, thinking she was talking to someone behind me, but there was nobody there.

By the time I realized she was talking to me, she’d turned the corner and disappeared.

There I was, in all my post-workout glory–sweaty, messy pony tail,

feeling very much less-than-pretty,

and yet,

that’s exactly what she said I was.

Those words from a total stranger made me smile (especially because I felt so not-pretty when she said them).

But you know what?

That’s how God sees us, ALL the time…

beautiful.

Regardless of how we look (because it’s SO not about that).

Regardless of how we feel,

or what mistakes we’ve made,

or what regrets we have.

Regardless of what the world often says,

He says we are beautiful.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. -Psalm 139:14

So, if nobody has told you that today,

You are.

You are beautiful inside and out–

your heart, how you’re made, your character, your dreams, your gifts…

all unique,

all you,

all beautiful.

Take a minute to listen to this song, “Beautiful,” and let the words soak into your heart today. (If the video doesn’t come up, click here to listen.)

*Post previously published, but I’m posting it again… because we all need this reminder from time to time!