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When He Calls You Beautiful

by Aliza Latta Oct 24, 2016 in:Encouragement

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You don’t forget the first time a boy calls you beautiful.

You don’t realize until years later that when he was whispering those words, he was permanently engraving them deep inside of you.

You don’t perceive the power that handful of syllables has.

Before he tells you, he looks at you. His eyes peer into yours, causing your face to flush red down to your toes. You half wonder if he’s aware of how he makes you blush. You don’t comprehend what’s happening. You don’t think. You just watch him while he says this to you.

I think you’re beautiful.

You lean into how you’re feeling: you’re a wildflower, freshly plucked. You’re a dainty ballerina. You’re a fuzzy Polaroid picture, the edges blurred, still in the midst of focusing.

You are feminine and beauty. Of course you are — he just said so himself.

You do? You think I’m beautiful?

The stuttered question comes out before you can stop it, and you turn your face down shyly, away from him. You want him to think you’re confident, not insecure.

Then he’s grasping your chin with his long fingers, turning your face back up to look into his eyes. He repeats what he told you before. Surely if he’s said the words a second time, he must believe it. They must be true.

I do. I think you’re beautiful.

You don’t forget the first time a boy calls you beautiful. You don’t forget the way your stomach swarmed warmly inside, or the lightness of your feet as you pulled yourself from him. You don’t forget, even after the day has ended and the season has changed and you don’t see one another anymore.

The power of his words — they changed everything for you.

Years later, when you finally understand that what the boy said about you doesn’t determine your identity, you think about Someone else’s words.

You often forget how Jesus calls you beautiful. You often forget His fingertips that formed yours, His breath that seeps from your lungs, His love that whispers: I think you’re beautiful. I do. I think you’re beautiful.

He’s not simply a boy who makes you blush, or turns you shy, or calls you pretty. He’s the Poet who created the universe. The Artist who made you worthy. The Writer who authored the story you’re living.

And He calls you beautiful.

So you lean back and breathe, His love filling you deeper than anyone else’s ever could.

You’re beautiful.

 You close your eyes. You’re not stuttering anymore.

Do you think so, Jesus?

He’s strong and mighty and tender and precious. And He loves you. You begin to cry from the tenderness of it all.

I do. I think you’re beautiful.

So you sit at His feet, and He wipes your tears, and you remember how — even in the midst of your darkness and shame and fragility — He calls you beautiful.

by Aliza Latta
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'He’s strong and mighty and tender and precious. And He loves you.' @alizalatta at @incourage: https://www.incourage.me/?p=182125 https://www.incourage.me/?p=182125

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Aliza Latta

Aliza Latta is a Canadian writer, journalist, and artist, who is a huge fan of telling stories. She writes about faith and young adulthood on her blog alizalatta.com, and is the author of the novel Come Find Me, Sage Parker. Find her on Instagram as @alizalatta.
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Comments

  1. Robyn says

    October 24, 2016 at 6:56 am

    Sitting in my classroom this morning and after a very bad weekend of me questioning who I am and why I am in the situation that I am ( a very unhappy marriage of feeling worthless to and invisible to my husband) I opened this email first thing. As I try to hold back my tears, I tell myself, I am beautifully and wonderfully made in his image. Thank you for this, as it was so very much needed.

    • Megan says

      October 24, 2016 at 10:55 am

      Robyn, you are never worthless, my dear! Don’t let anyone make you feel like that. You are adored! 🙂

    • An says

      October 24, 2016 at 12:49 pm

      Robyn, how I understand this place it seems that you are in. Our Lord loves us with an ever lasting love, call us beautiful, very good in His sight, fearfully and wonderfully made for the Lord doesn’t make anything wrong. You are beautiful, dear sister, so beloved 🙂 A wise sister once told me to stand in front of the mirror and declare the love that the King of all has for us-do this for yourself today, let yourself see what He sees. So many prayers and hugs to you 🙂

    • Sheila says

      October 24, 2016 at 2:33 pm

      Robin,
      I hope you don’t mind me sharing two resources I found hugely helpful as I struggled to hold onto myself in marriage:
      Boundaries in Marriage and Growing Yourself Up.
      I have read and reread these books!
      Praying for you!

      • Mary Hood says

        October 24, 2016 at 5:29 pm

        Robyn, I am in a similar place, struggling with who I think I am and who God says I am and who family sees me as. I build myself up with Psa 139. Fearfully and wonderfully made! Be blessed with these words. Praying for you.

    • Aliza Latta says

      October 24, 2016 at 2:54 pm

      Robyn, it’s a hard thing to believe sometimes, isn’t it? I’m so sorry for how you are feeling. I’m praying for you now… that God would give you a glimpse of how he sees you: worthy, so, so worthy.

  2. Eunice Eubanks says

    October 24, 2016 at 6:58 am

    What a tear jerker!!!! And a much needed one. As I was reading I was thinking I never had that moment to recall. Or, if I did I have forgotten. . .so it wasn’t unforgettable.

    But I do have a God. . .and often times I feel unworthy. And lately I imagine his love is so much more than I give it credit for in my moments of shame and guilt. But he loves me. . .us. . .still. And thinks we all are beautiful. . .

    Thanks Aliza for sharing such a beautiful message this morning.

    • Aliza Latta says

      October 24, 2016 at 3:00 pm

      Thank you, Eunice. I think you’re right: his love is so much more than what we give credit for.

  3. Bev @ Walking Well With God says

    October 24, 2016 at 7:02 am

    Aliza,
    I’m wiping tears….oh for how long my worth rode on the words of others…my parents, my friends, boys, bosses, etc. When we try to get our identity and our worth from the words of others, we will always come up painfully short because frankly this fallen world looks for our shortcomings. Jesus, on the other hand, sees our potential. He sees the beautiful person He and His Father created and called “good”. He looks beyond and sees what we are capable of in His power. He loves us just for who we ARE not for what we can DO. He just loves us….period. I’ve learned to drink in His love letter to me in the Bible….I pour over the words….” I am fearfully and wonderfully made….He delights in me….He rejoices over me with singing….He thinks I’m beautiful and pursues me…”. That sure beats the words of our first crush. Oh that I could drink this truth in and never doubt it. Your post is a wonderful and touching reminder of just how beautiful He thinks I am. Lovely….
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • Aliza Latta says

      October 24, 2016 at 3:01 pm

      “When we try to get our identity and our worth from the words of others, we will always come up painfully short…” This is spot on, Bev. I need this reminder every day. Thank you!

  4. Ivelisse says

    October 24, 2016 at 7:36 am

    There are no words that I can even attempt with tears in my eyes. Thank You!

    • Aliza Latta says

      October 24, 2016 at 3:02 pm

      Thank you, Ivelisse!

  5. Penny says

    October 24, 2016 at 9:04 am

    Your words are beautifully written Aliza,
    They remind us that our beauty radiates from within, and He’s not seeing us as flawed.

    Thank-you, this is really helpful.

    Penny

    • Janice says

      October 24, 2016 at 9:45 am

      Penny, it reminds me to Remind My Girls t h e y are beautifully made by GOD and we can always turn to Him! ( also I feel it’s important their fathers of girls always come second after God the Father)

      • Penny says

        October 24, 2016 at 11:57 am

        Yes Janice,
        I believe so too.
        Have a good day.

        Penny

    • Aliza Latta says

      October 24, 2016 at 3:02 pm

      Thank you so much, Penny!

  6. Emily Conrad says

    October 24, 2016 at 9:10 am

    Thank you for this! Just lovely, and such an important reminder 🙂

  7. Angela says

    October 24, 2016 at 9:11 am

    Thank you for reminding me that we all are beautiful!

  8. Indie says

    October 24, 2016 at 11:20 am

    I hope all girls already know they are beautiful inside (because of God), and as far as the outside they can look however they want. And certainly I pray she (the girl in the story above) expects more from the boy expressing that he thinks her outsides are appealing to him. She wasn’t put on this earth for males to approve of her looks or to wait for one of them to validate her in this way. Generally when a male tells a woman she is beautiful it is because he has been conditioned to think of her as an object to gaze upon and that he must tell her he thinks she looks good in order for her to have good self esteem. The concept of the story is nice and sweet and I get it, I really do, but kind of sends a message that that the approval of the male gaze is equal to that of God’s approval of a woman.

  9. Rebecca L Jones says

    October 24, 2016 at 11:33 am

    Your writing is beautiful! Jesus loves us and tells us so and we need to believe it. We call all be beautiful with Him in our hearts and His words on or lips. He can make us blush too, and He lifts our heads. And we can be sure of His sincerity.

    • Aliza Latta says

      October 24, 2016 at 3:04 pm

      Thank you so much, Rebecca.

  10. Alison says

    October 24, 2016 at 11:36 am

    What a great way to refocus hearts on how God sees us! Thank you. When I first read the title, in all transparency, I hesitated, and wondered how many others might struggle with worth issues. As a “recovering perfectionist” and highly analytical person, I know that the Enemy likes to stir things up in this area. Yet, I am firmly rooted in God’s love and appreciate the heart check and the reminder that my First and Always Love -Jesus sees me as beautiful.

  11. An says

    October 24, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    Aliza, I praise the Lord for these gracious words of peace from the Lord. How good the Lord is that He loved us, knew us, chose us before He made us. His approval means more than that of the world, for the world cannot see what He does in our hearts, the places in us, the unfading beauty of the quiet and gentle Spirit that He has given us that transforms us to bring a richer and deeper beauty than our outward appearance. Its hard to see this in myself some days having lived with being told all that was wrong instead of what was right, so I have to remind myself of this everyday it seems. May we each look and see His love in each of us peering at us in the mirror and rejoice that He has chosen to make his home in us, cleaning and lightening each place in our inner women to shine his beauty into the world 🙂

  12. katie says

    October 24, 2016 at 3:03 pm

    Love this!! In my day job and in the blogging world, it’s so easy to get caught up in other people’s approval — especially when it’s expressed as a quality you have rather than praise for a specific thing you’ve done. Thank you for sharing!

  13. Charlene Johnson-Boyd says

    October 24, 2016 at 3:31 pm

    I do remember that moment so many years ago. 51 to be exact. My reaction was so much like your article stated. I actually believed we would be together celebrating 48 years of marriage this past August. It was OFFICIALLY over 25 years ago. I was made to feel like Robyn in this post. So worthless, unloved. At this very moment I am finally in the midst of trying to heal. PTSD, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY all sorts of health issues. By the GRACE of GOD, I’m on my way to VICTORY this time. Thank you for this topic. God loves me, I love Him. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

  14. Angela says

    October 24, 2016 at 4:54 pm

    Great post. Thumbs up.

  15. Brenda says

    October 24, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    Robyn, I totally understand where you’re coming from. I’m a substitute teacher, struggling with what I do, and also in a marriage where I just feel like a slave. I have a quote on my bedroom wall about my value not being based on someone’s inability to see my worth. I refer to it often, and my daughter even reminds me of it when I’m feeling defeated. This post was great for both of us, and I think it’s something you and I needed to be reminded of. Just know, you’re not alone in your struggles, and God is there for you too. By the way, Aliza, thank you so much for this post. It looks like it’s something all of us needed to hear.

  16. Tammy says

    October 24, 2016 at 10:27 pm

    Now I’m completely undone.

  17. Theresa says

    October 24, 2016 at 10:55 pm

    Beautiful post, Aliza. Let us never forget our savior’s words.

  18. Beth Williams says

    October 25, 2016 at 6:15 am

    Aliza,

    This is spot on. For years I have felt “not worthy”, “plain Jane”. Then one day God sent this amazing man into my life. He calls me beautiful and pretty. These words and those of Jesus really help to cement my heart. This reminded me of the Johnny Diaz song “More Beautiful You” :
    Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
    Says she wants to look that way
    But her hair isn’t straight, her body isn’t fake
    And she’s always felt overweight
    Well, little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
    That beauty is within your heart
    And you were made with such care, your skin, your body and your hair
    Are perfect just the way they are
    There could never be a more beautiful you
    Don’t buy the lies, disguises and hoops, they make you jump through
    You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
    So there could never be a more beautiful you
    Little girl twenty one the things that you’ve already done
    Anything to get ahead
    And you say you’ve got a man but He’s got another plan
    Only wants what you will do instead
    Well, little girl twenty one you never thought that this would come
    You starve yourself to play the part
    But I can promise you there’s a man whose love is true
    And He’ll treat you like the jewel you are
    There could never be a more beautiful you
    Don’t buy the lies, disguises and hoops, they make you jump through
    You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
    So there could never be a more beautiful you, more beautiful you
    So turn around you’re not too far
    To back away be who you are
    To change your path go another way
    It’s not too late, you can be saved
    If you feel depressed with past regrets
    The shameful nights hope to forget
    Can disappear, they can all be washed away
    By the one who’s strong, can right your wrongs
    Can rid your fears dry, all your tears
    And change the way you look at this big world
    He will take your dark distorted view
    And with His light, He will show you truth
    And again you’ll see through the eyes of a little girl
    That there could never be a more beautiful you
    Don’t buy the lies, disguises and hoops, they make you jump through
    You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
    So there could never be a more beautiful you
    There could never be a more beautiful you

  19. Shaloma @ TallTalesAndFancy says

    October 25, 2016 at 8:41 am

    I absolutely love this. Man, this brought me right back to the swing set I was on. Thank you for these sweet reminders 🙂

  20. Dawn says

    October 26, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    I have had to sit with this for a few days. This stirred up something in me that I can’t explain. I spent a few days thinking or trying to remember someone telling me I am beautiful. Honestly I have never been told that by anyone and I’m 56. I have a wonderful husband but he isn’t good at compliments, not even dinner was good. But he is a very kind man.
    Most of my life I have felt unworthy and invisible to the world. I still do. I have been praying since reading this “Jesus please tell me I’m beautiful today”……
    Not yet but I’m hoping.

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