I’m not beautiful

I heard these words from my almost 4 year old just the other day after her failed attempt to perfectly apply lipstick.

Honestly, she has quite the gift of lipstick application at her age.

But, sometimes mistakes happen.

And, in this particular instance, Banshee was applying lipstick and accidentally swiped it up onto her nose.

She then responded with frustrated crying and disappointment.

“Banshee, what’s wrong?”

*crying*

Then I saw her face.

“Sweetie, did you get some lipstick on your nose on accident?

*sobbing*

“Yeah. Now I’m not beautiful.”

“Oh, sweetie, you are beautiful.”

“No, I’m not.”

*increased crying*

Listen y’all, I literally turned off the music, pulled her in close, and gently lifted her chin to look at me.

“Sweetie, you are beautiful. Do you know why you’re beautiful?”

*nodding her head no*

“You’re beautiful because God made you. Not because of make-up.”

*crying subsides a little*

“God said He made you in His image, that’s what makes you beautiful. He knows how much hair you have on your head and knew your name before you were born. See how special you are?”

*Crying died out a little more*

“Sweetie, make-up is just for fun. You’re already beautiful without it.”

Then I cleaned up her face and cuddled her close.

She needed reassurance.

She needed to feel the words.

She needed to be certain what I said was true.

And, it broke my heart.

I know numerous moments like this will come and I want to use every opportunity to squelch culture’s attempt to diminish their value and worth.

Their value and worth is rooted in Jesus.

And, the more the hear it, the more they feel it, and the more they know it’s true.

“God knows how many hairs you have on your head. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many small birds.”

Luke 12:7