Friday, June 20, 2008

Every Hair and Each Freckle

The summer sun first sprinkled light brown freckles across the bridge my nose during the season of my girlhood. Each year brings a few more to my body. My arms, shoulders, and back all wear tiny spots hand made by the life-sustaining ball of fire. I like my freckles, but I give them little thought. In fact, when I wear makeup, the ones on my face are barely visible.

Still new to the world, my four-year-old daughter delights in daily discoveries. She studiously examines God’s creation, especially delighting in the nuances of plants, animals, and humans. While we stood on our porch tending to the small potted herb garden, Pumpkindoodle asked question after question. Some were easy: “Does Basil taste yummy with pasta?” Some questions challenged me: “Why did God make mosquitoes so mean?” After she finished the nature portion of the quiz, she touched my face, wrinkled her nose and asked, “Are those little spots on your face dirt?”

I summed up my freckle explanation by adding, “You don’t have any freckles. Maybe God will use the sun to paint some on your face one day.”

“Mommy! I already have a freckle right here on my arm.”

Without hesitation, my preschooler with pristinely porcelain skin extended her right arm to show off a pin-point-sized freckle, or perhaps mole, on the inside of her elbow. I nearly gasped. Not because she had a cute little freckle, but because she knew she had one. Toddlers and preschoolers are very aware of their bodies. They study their faces, limbs, belly and hair. And they conduct their research of self without contempt. Pumpkindoodle’s freckle hunt bears little resemblance to my “fat finding expeditions.” She loves every inch of her petite, 39 inch frame and joyfully boasts, “I’m so beautiful because God made me.” She is beautiful indeed.

As I think of Pumpkindoodle’s awareness, I am reminded of God’s attention to every detail of my body. I couldn’t give you a freckle estimate, much less an accurate count, but God can tell you the numbers of freckles on my body and when each of them arrived. He can even say the number of combined freckles plastered on every human body that ever existed. We’re part of His creation. And He loves every part of us.

The Holy one who can count the hairs on my head, moles on my back, and creases on the soles of my feet, also comprehends every thought circling my mind, and each feeling beating within my heart. He made me. He knows me. He wants me to delight in Him as He delights in me. And He loves me like no other. That brings a whole new meaning to the word beauty.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 NKJV


Don't be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There's nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands. "What's the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don't be intimidated by all this bully talk. You're worth more than a million canaries. Matthew 10:28 – 31 (The Message)





22 comments:

Apple said...

Very nice post. I'm a bit emotional having read it. It's very easy to forget how priceless we are to our Heavenly Father...especially when everyday is a fight against our enemy...as my days are right now.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's really awesome. I love that He has your freckles counted. One by one.

Wendi@EveryDayMiracles said...

Beautifully written! I love the inquisitiveness of little ones, and the innocent acceptance. We could all learn much from them...

Anonymous said...

Loved this post. Maybe because my husband is covered in freckles and some of my sweet ones are "still" new.Beautiful devotional...

Anne Elizabeth said...

Excellent post! I needed to be reminded (yet again) of how much God really does love me.

Anonymous said...

Wow just a great great post!

bp said...

That is very good to read. Thank you. It is good to be reminded of how special we are to our Creator.

Gretchen said...

Oh, I needed to see this, and hear about a little one who teaches me that God made me, so I'm beautiful, too.

Blessings on your day. xxxooogretchen

Lisa Spence said...

As a freckled faced little girl, my mom told me my freckles were kisses from God.

kari and kijsa said...

Beautiful post!!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

Jackie said...

I love it! We would do well to look at ourselves the way our little ones see themselves. Beautiful.

Thanks for your comment! You know, I completely forgot to mention the Enneagram on my post. I love that book, and I agree, it is one of the most comprehensive descriptions that I think I've found. I am a 9 all the way. I had a roommate who was a 2, so she was probably very similar to you. Fascinating!

World's Greatest Mommy said...

How beautiful! It's nice to be reminded that our Creator...our Father knows us so well...even better than we know ourselves.

Thank you so much for dropping by, and for your comment on my posts about my Dad. It was so nice to write it as a tribute, and to have others connect with it...well, it was priceless.

Julie said...

YOu are a beautiful woman, inside and out. Your King is enthralled with your beauty.

Thanks for sharing your heart.

Hugs,
Julie

Claremont First Ward said...

I really love that your daughter is so aware........God's creations ARE pretty amazing.

Tracy said...

What a great post! Reminds me anew how precious we are to our amazingly creative Father. What a memorable moment with your sweet Pumpkindoodle. (I'm loving my freckles more than ever before!)

Blessings,
Tracy

Jen said...

I LOVE this post. It really touched me. Thank you so much!

Misty said...

i used to hate my freckles. now, i kinda like having a visual reminder of how intimately He knows the one he has made!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post! If we would only remember what special creations we are. And, I can be your freckled friend. I am covered!

Joyfulsister said...

Kids are so observant lol That is why we can still find joy through the eyes of our children. They also seem to see the best of everything and in everyone.

stacey said...

That is such a great post!!!! I have a lot of freckles too & my son is always asking where he can get some!That is a really great answer that you had!!! That is so cute, everyone should have that “I’m so beautiful because God made me.” attitude!!!!

"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4

Anonymous said...

Freckles may be appear as round, dark colored spots. skin surrounding the spot is lighter in color. Freckles are sensitive to the uv rays of sunlight and hence appear more prominent after exposure to sunlight. freckles could be present all over the body, mostly they are found in areas exposed to sun.
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Cyndie said...

I'm so glad that you visited my blog. I'm having a great time reading some of yours today also! I always love seeing who God brings across my path in this blogging world. I'm so glad you found me. Was it through Lysa's site?

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