Mark and I spent this past weekend at Mark’s family reunion at Lake Tenkiller, nestled in the hills of northeast Oklahoma. Sunday afternoon following the annual church service, the family parted ways, heading back to their homes. Mark and I decided to stay a few extra days in order for me to get some writing done. It’s quiet here, and there’s no internet connection to speak of. Often, even the cell coverage is very poor, so all in all, a great place to be quiet and listen for what the Lord would want to say to me.
I slept in this morning; the back bedroom is dark due to the old metal awnings that tower over the window openings of this very old cabin; sleeping late here is easy to do! It had been several days since I’d exercised, so I decided to walk and have my prayer time as I walked. Most of the area is covered with a mixture of old and new cabins and lake houses. The morning was very quiet following the activity and busyness of the weekend boating crowd. The lack of people, activity, and the quiet, were great for keeping me focused on praying.
As I rounded a corner headed toward Mark’s Uncle Eli and Aunt Jeanne’s trailer, I noticed the most beautiful massive tree almost hugging the side of their place. It’s been there for years, but for some reason this morning I took notice of it. As I looked at it I thought, “This tree is as close to a perfect creation as you can get.” The massive aged trunk was thick and covered with rough dark brown layers of bark. The canopy of this tree was perfectly rounded; it looked like a giant umbrella, its branches lush, green, and so full that they were weighted down. The Lord said to me, “You are a perfect creation because I made you. I made you to be a reflection of your Creator.” I was in awe that God made this beautiful tree and all that lay around me this morning- the lake, the birds, the island anchored in the middle of the lake, the fox I encountered as I was walking, the deer leaping fences along the road, and the blue sky with its billowing white clouds floating along all made by God, The Creator, for my enjoyment.
Walking along I thought about so many young women that I know who are struggling with their own self-image; many of them feeling that they are in some way inadequate, either in looks, abilities, or gifting. Many of them giving in to the lies of the enemy, struggling with eating disorders, and false beliefs fed by the world of what makes a woman beautiful. I thought about a conversation I had with our older daughter, Angela, a few weeks ago when she and her family were over for dinner. We were looking at old family photos and she said that recently she had been looking at some old pictures of herself and in looking at them, she wondered why she had ever thought that she was unattractive. I confessed to her that a few years ago I’d been looking at pictures of myself when I was younger and wondered the same thing. Why did I ever think I was heavy and unattractive? Yes, I was a little thicker in some areas than other women, but for years I failed to see that I was pretty, a beautiful and a perfect creation! Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not perfect! But, God made me to be a beautiful and perfect creation- a reflection of my Creator.
Walking along and meditating on what God had just revealed to me about his beautiful creations, I was reminded of four older women whom God has blessed my life with these past few years. These four women, Miss Higgy, Mrs. Heather Olford, Miss Virginia, and Miss June, have all been an example to me of the beauty of Christ; one now in heaven, the other three dealing with wrinkles, weakened muscles, and failing health, yet each remaining so beautiful. Unlike several ladies I have known who have chosen surgery in order to regain their youthful beauty, these four women have allowed God to develop and reveal His beauty in and through them. Much like the tree, the perfectly beautiful creation I saw this morning, they are perfect and beautiful reflections of their Creator.
In God’s word there’s a woman whom I feel reflects the perfect and beautiful creation of her Creator. Her name is Ruth. When reading the book of Ruth, we do not sense that Ruth struggles with insecurity or a poor self-image. She is sure of what she wants, who she is, and of God’s purpose and plan for her life. She accepts the Savior of her mother-in-law, willingly leaves homeland and family to go with Naomi, and trusts in God, as well as her mother-in-law’s wisdom and insight. She loves deeply, unconditionally, and limitlessly, just as Christ did! Ruth is a picture of a woman who is a beautiful, perfect reflection of the Creator of this great universe!
Father, oh what beauty you created for us to enjoy. You created us to be a wonderful, beautiful, perfect reflection of You- our blessed Creator! Help me to be all You created me to be- inside and out. Lord, I pray You will bind away the enemy, who is fierce in his lies toward women, telling us that we are fat, ugly, and useless. Help us to realize that he is a liar, a furious animal seeking to destroy us. Help us to see ourselves as the beautiful, perfect creation You made each of us to be. Set us free from the bondage of the enemy. Father, help us each to shine brightly, reflecting Your beauty and grace in this world.
“Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26a).
But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16). A beautiful statement of commitment from a beautiful woman!
Jesus speaking of Satan, “Whenever he speaks a lie he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44b).
dianne