BELIEVE in your Infinite Worth

Step 1: B

Believe in your INFINITE Worth.

We are conditioned, by the world we grew up in, to believe that our worth- or our value- 

is something that must be defined in finite terms.

I am of value, because I am beautiful.

I am of value, because I am thin.

I am of value, because I am intelligent.

I am of value, because I have an education.

I am of value, because I play the piano well.

I am of value, because I am fashionable.

Etc, Etc, Etc

The danger in defining worth in these finite ways is that whenever something happens to challenge our thinking, our faith in our own value crumbles.

When I started college, I defined myself very clearly.  I was beautiful, I was intelligent, and I was talented.  I felt very confident in myself and in my abilities and had a very healthy self esteem.  I knew that I could do anything.  

However, it didn't take me very long, to realize I was surrounded by other women who were gorgeous, talented, and intelligent. 

 I suddenly felt very small, and insignificant, and began to challenge the picture I had painted for myself of who I was. Then the rosy future I had planned began to falter.  I got very sick and couldn't sing- which was a HUGE part of my self defined identity, and my MAJOR.  My 2 1/2 year relationship with my boyfriend ended (it was mutual, but it was still a huge readjustment for me mentally).  I fell head over heels for another boy who didn't love me back, and then to top it off I overheard myself being described as an airhead by a close friend.  

Can you imagine how I felt?  

Everything I had used to define myself had been challenged.

 

One night in particular, I felt...so alone...so completely alone.  Most of my friends and pretty much the entire campus was at a fancy dance that I had VERY much wanted to attend, and had not been invited to. I had been very sick recently, and had been told by a doctor that it was "all in my head" and that I needed to wake up and realize that I wasn't the perfect person I thought I was, and to admit to myself that I had sins I hadn't repented of, or I wouldn't be feeling this way." (I ended up having an undiagnosed heart condition that was surgically repaired a few years later...take THAT shady doctor!)  

Anyway I was lying on our picnic table in our front yard staring up at the stars, and feeling so very alone, when I began to sing "Somewhere Out There" softly to myself.  Far away I had a tiny little 7 year old sister, and we would sing that song to each other over the phone when she missed me.  (Shannon) 

 I realized, as I sang the words that there was someone out there who loved me no matter what,
 not just my little sister,

but God, my Loving Father in Heaven.

 

I felt suddenly encompassed by a warm blanket, even though the night was chilly, and felt my Fathers love for me, and my infinite worth to him, in that moment.  INFINITE.  

Never ending, and without limits.

 My life didn't suddenly get easier.  I didn't meet my prince charming the next day, and my health didn't get better for years to come.  But in that moment I realized that my value, and my worth, had nothing to do with the ways I had defined myself.  I began to work a little harder on appreciating my relationship with my father in heaven.  When things got worse, he was there beside me.

Ladies, WE put the limits on our value.  We are the ones who believe we are only of worth "if we are __________".  

Our Father in Heaven loves us no matter what.

 He loves us in our weak moments, as much as he loves us when we are

doing something Amazing.

You are a princess, a Daughter of a King.  And when YOU know and BELIEVE in this infinite worth, everything else becomes a little less important.  You are freed from the restraints you have put upon your own value, and you can become whatever, whomever you want to become.  

I challenge you this week, to find faith in yourself and your relationship with God.  Get down on your knees, even if you think you have forgotten how, and simply talk.  Ask your father in heaven for a little more confidence in your own value.  I promise you, if you ask- in faith, you will find the answers you are looking for.

I want to share a video that shows one Young Woman's Journey through self discovery.  Lindsay Stirling is a favorite in our house, and after watching this, we love her a little more- if that's even possible.

-Aleesha Bake

See Aleesha's original post at: Break Through: The plan

Lost and Found

What happens when you're lost...you can't read maps...

you have no phone, and it's about to absolutely pour?

     So last week I took a two-day trip to the beach with my almost-cousins.  It was an absolute blast.  We spent the whole first day at the beach with the sun and weather perfectly meant for us.  Imagine 82 degrees on the South Carolina coast, with just enough cloud cover to keep you from burning, but enough sun to warm up every part of you.  The waves were big and great for bodysurfing. It was absolutely beautiful...until it destroyed my phone. 

     I realize the depth of my stupidity at taking my phone out of my car and onto the gorgeous beach. However, in my defense, my mother HAD asked me to keep my phone with me in case she needed me.  You see, I was set to move 4 days later, and we were finishing up details for my trip.  Moving on, I was splashing and swimming about, enjoying myself like it was 1999 again when I wore my Little Mermaid swimming suit with pride.  My cousins and I were having the most epic wave rides ever as well.  Unfortunately, when I came out of the water for a moment of peace, my sort-of-aunt informed me that one single rogue wave had plunged across my things out of NOWHERE, and savagely attacked my phone in the process.  My heart fell as I ran up the embankment (yes- that's ALL THE WAY UP THE EMBANKMENT) and my eyes found my poor soggy phone.  

      We tried SO hard- really we did. We prayed, played, reset, banged, and roasted my phone in all ways possible to save it from it's saltwater disaster, but it was all to no avail. So I sadly let it give up it's tiny electronic ghost and enjoyed the rest of my vacation.  So I know this seems like such a funny little story with no real meaning or importance other than a $160 insurance bill, but that's because I've yet to explain the damage that this really caused.  

      Sure it was frustrating, but let me tell you, what really was hard, was driving home the next day. 

No mymap.

 No phone calls to Mom and Dad.  

No help.

  No memory. 

 Nothing. 

Nothing but me and the map book my dad made me bring...that I didn't know how to read. 

     I fully recognize that this might seem funny...now, but let me ASSURE you- at the moment it was ANYTHING BUT. I can honestly say that even though looking back on it, it was the most humorous situations I could have been in, it was also one of the most faith-building.  Now I don't know how many of our readers are church-goers of any kind.  Rest-easy that we love and appreciate every single person, regardless of their individual beliefs, and if you feel at all that this part about my faith could be offensive, you are more than welcome not to read it.  But alas, it is who I am, and I cannot and will not change that- even for just a blog post.  I share because it taught me something important, not because I believe in the power of brain washing.  ;) 

      As I set off driving down the maze of highways and backroads that would lead me on a 5-hour (supposedly 3.5 hrs to begin with) I couldn't have been more worried.  I kind of giggled to myself as I filled up my gas tank at a nearby station at my predicament, but the seriousness of actions, and the reality of the consequences hit me as I realized I had NO clue how to get home.  Quietly, humbly, and trying to keep calm, I turned off the radio, and asked my Father in Heaven to direct my turns and lead me to home.  I promised Him sincerely that if He told me where to turn, I would turn, even if it required going back and forth until I had found the right path.  I set out more carefully after that, turning back on the radio for something to keep me awake. 

     The next few hours were filled with driving cautiously along until something would spark my memory and a sure knowing that I should take that turn, or that merge, or that off-road.  Small signs like ugly Lion statues in front of an old house, or a really disgusting Billboard poster, are what triggered these redirections of my path.  After about two and a half hours, a monstrous storm set in above me.  Remember this is in North Carolina now, and when we have a tropical storm off the coast, the weather can be downright hideous. The rain was crashing down with such force, I could barely see the road around me. Several times I contemplated stopping and allowing the storm to pass.  After all- I had no possible way of communicating with my parents if I ran off the road or had any kind of accident, and I was making my way home turn by turn.  I simply slowed down and allowed the storm to pass a little slower.  

    I cannot describe to you the rush of relief that came to me when I pulled in my driveway; the comfort at knowing I was Home.  

     All I could do was say thank you to a dear Heavenly Father who had seen me safely home, every single step of the way- giving me guidance and instruction, inspiration and confidence.  Now I come to understand that power that this small and somewhat entertaining circumstance has as an example in my life. How many times has He taken me by the hand, turn by turn, to let me walk by faith, and return to my Heavenly Home?  How many times has He blessed me with Tiny signs and precious miracles to guide me?  How many times has He comforted me while the storms of life raged around me, battering me with their winds, and their torments?  And how many times are there yet to come when He will whisper the directions to me, and allow me correct my course, should I stray?  Every time I had to turn my car around was another time in life when He lets me repent, and forgive me.

      The most beautiful part to me- is knowing that I will one day be able to return Home. It won't be pulling in the driveway, and just happy to see my house, it will be an all-encompassing peace that brings me to my Eternal home, with my Heavenly Father, and my eternal family.  

     I may have destroyed my phone, and put myself into this predicament, but what a blessing in my faith it was- showing me in small ways that He is ever present in my life, and I CAN return home, no matter how Lost, no matter the storms, and no matter the decisions that turned into mistakes. 

I am so grateful for the blessing of being able to return home someday, and the knowledge that I will never have to be Lost; that I can make it step by step, 

and Turn by Turn.