You Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made!

This past August, the movie “Overcomer” was released in theaters. Produced by the Kendrick brothers, this box office hit was a powerful reminder of who we are in Christ. My identity on this earth is nothing compared to my identity in heaven.

To go along with these theatrical releases, the Kendrick brothers release Bible studies and books. This time around, Priscilla Shirer published a book entitled, “Radiant: His light, your life,” for teen girls and young women. It’s a relatively short book and an excellent read for my high school girls Bible study group.

While this book is geared toward the younger generation, this middle-aged woman is also being encouraged by the words the Priscilla writes!

Life in High School During the 80s and 90s

Priscilla starts off the book talking about her high school days and the problems that she encountered. She’s two years younger than I am, so I could relate to her.

In my high school days, I was more concerned with big hair, makeup, acid-washed Guess jeans, and MTV, than I was with my school work. I craved a social life and enjoyed cruising around our small town on Friday and Saturday nights.

And while on the outside I was smiling and happy, on the inside I was a mess. I was bullied daily by two boys who were a grade above me. You see, the Lord blessed me with a full set of lips and feet that turned outwards. I wore leg braces as an infant, but they didn’t adequately correct the issue, and to this day, my feet still turn outwards a little.

During my freshman year, these boys noticed that my stride was off, and my lips were big and began calling me, duck lips, waddle girl, and other derogatory names. Day in and day out, I dreaded passing them in the hallway. It escalated beyond verbal name-calling my junior year because I had math class right after they did, and every day, they would write on the chalkboard, “Duck lips is ugly.” The teacher thought it was funny, “Who is duck lips?”  I was too embarrassed to let him know that I was the one they were referring t0.

What a relief it was to see them graduate! My senior year was relatively normal, and for the first time, I didn’t dread going to school.

Those memories of high school were shoved into the back of my mind until this past weekend when I started Priscilla’s book. Reading through what she endured brought back my high school days.

And you know what? I am glad that those memories came back in my mind.

I believe that it was the Lord’s way of letting me know that I need to forgive those boys.

I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Despite my full lips and my outward feet, the Lord made me this way. He created me in His own image.

“So God created man in his image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27

I am reassured over and over again that I am not a mistake.

Whatever flaw that may have, I encourage you to embrace it.

The Lord made you this way. You are His!

He created you with His own hands. He knitted you together in your mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13)

You are not a mistake.

I Forgive You

Eric and Tony, if you ever come across this post, I want you to know that I forgive you. I pray that you know Jesus as your Savior and that you are loved and forgiven. I still walk with my feet outward, and my lips are still significant, but women our age are now paying big money to have fuller lips! I’ve had women come up to me saying they wish they had my lips, so those lips aren’t so bad after all!