What Makes You Beautiful

Many years ago, I was a die-hard Backstreet Boys fan (just like many teenage girls were in my time).  Now, another boy band comes up with a song that I became obsessed with. 

One Direction- What Makes You Beautiful

Funny, such a song takes a girl's breath away because it reaches the core to tell me that someone does think I am beautiful.  I think that's why I get fed so easily to this song, especially as a single girl.  I have lots of friends around me to encourage me of who I am, but no one to truly look into my eyes and say "You are beautiful." 

I find myself easily falling into a lifestyle where I fill myself with songs like these.  My big reality hit was when I saw Les Miserables in theatres a little while ago and remembered the connection I made between myself and the character of Eponine. 

Her song "On My Own" had been my song for years and years, with continuous crushes I'd have and every time I would watch them love another girl the way I wanted to be loved.  My imagination ran wild with fantasies just like a little teenage girl would have in her loneliness. 

The last few years of my life had been amazing, and God had been wonderful to keep my heart guarded, but I didn't realize how much guarding I needed until I watched this movie again.  When I picture pornography, I instantly think of men satisfying their lusts of the flesh in ways not acceptable.  I realize that this is my "pornography."  Daydreaming of things not yet happening in my love life.  Listening to music that feeds this lust.  I am easy to do this, and it goes down a road of depression and self-pity of how unattractive I must be if no man is gazing upon me like other girls.  It's my biggest struggle, but also my biggest blessing.  I easily forget the blessing behind where I am now. 

Eponine's character still builds connection, but God is great to remind me of the Cosette that I am to him.  That he waits by the gate of my heart to gaze upon my face and tell me how beautiful I am. 

He's waiting by yours as well.  He has sought you out and wants to gaze upon the face that takes his breath away.  All you need to do is come out and let him sing love songs to you.  You don't have to be the girl on the side-lines anymore, waiting for it to be your turn.  It is your turn! 

Jesus has me all to himself right now, and he tells me everyday how beautiful I am.

From the falling snow that captivates me enough to lock myself out of my apartment to twilight that twinkles enough to tease me before the stars appear...

From the hug of a dear friend to the sound of birds coming at the first of spring...

From the pains he holds me through to the joys and surprises of life that he loves to reveal to me... 

Even right now, there is a whisper of him reminding me of his love when I look out and see the purity of white snow sitting beneath a soft blue sky.  Winter never looked so pretty until I heard those whispers.  And to think, I'd been so concerned of my self-pity that I couldn't hear him draw me close into the beauty that no one could show me but him. 

It's easy to draw away, but patiently he sits by the gate of my heart so he can tell me what makes me beautiful... 

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

I love you all.