It started out sweetly enough. My daughter, Taylor, was patting my legs and looking at me in her own precious way. She then said, “Mommy, what are those stripes on your legs?” I looked down at my legs and tried to explain that while I was pregnant with her, I was teaching and was on my feet a lot. As a result of being on my feet so much and carrying her, I got little things called spider veins on my legs.
She then said, “No, not your squiggly marks, the stripes?” As I looked down at the “stripes” on my legs I shared with her that Mommy has pale skin, which makes it easier to see the veins running through my legs. She seemed to be satisfied with that answer and began looking at me sweetly again. Then she said, “Well, how about the dots?”
I quickly answered that the dots are my moles and freckles. Then with a look of pity she said, “No, these,” pointing to my little round bruises. I told her that Mommy bruises easily and is somewhat of a klutz. . . .Gee Whiz! Not the discussion of admiration that I would have hoped for from my daughter.
It is never easy to be placed under a microscope. Even though it was just an outward view of me that she was examining, it was still uncomfortable. My prayer is that some day she will put my heart under a microscope.
There will undoubtedly be portions of sin, imperfection and ugliness that she will see from examining my heart. However, my hope is that she will also see a deep love for my Lord and my family. I want her to see a heart for helping others and for being a woman of my word.
I pray that I live a life where she is able to see beyond the dots, stripes and squiggly marks of my imperfection and see me for the beautiful person that God created me to be, just as He sees me.
Memory Verse:
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
– Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
Prayer Prompt:
“God, help us to see beyond the dots, stripes and squiggly marks of our imperfections and live the life that we were created to live. We want to place our focus on You and bring glory to Your name. I want to give You all my imperfections, including…”
Contributing Writer:
By: Amy S.
I loved that!
My every encounter with Amy is inspirational. This was no exception. It’s absolutely beautiful.
Love the verse you chose too. Great post.
She will, Amy, she will. I love this piece. Blessings.
Amy, you have such a powerful way of sharing your everyday stories and a profound way of connecting it all back to God. I feel like I get mini sermons when I read your blog, usually right when I need a little lift or reality check. Thank you for being you and for showing us what it truly means to leave your life in God’s hands. Love you!