The Cross has made You Flawless

I feel like our present society is so conflicted on body issues right now. There's one camp that says, you are what you are and no one has a right to say anything about you, and then there's the people that insist you must have perfect eyebrows and wear false eyelashes everyday. The Beyonce movement has made phrases like "I woke up like this" and "Flawless" an unattainable statue to live up to. Don't get me wrong, I totally have a sequined sweater that says "I woke up like this" and I'm all about glam and getting made up. I'm pretty sure Beyonce started the movement with the mindset that we should embrace our natural self--and yet even she has been accused of photoshopping her Instagram pictures. 

Lately I have been struggling with image issues. I've had a parade of zits on my chin since mid summer that seem to last forever, my skin is always shiny and has uneven color, my eyebrows are not up to today's beauty standards, I am growing out short hair and I haven't had it colored in months, I do not have beautiful long eyelashes, and I have put on 20 pounds since I got married.

I took this picture shortly after I woke up this morning (not even my worst, I still have remnants of yesterday's makeup because I was too tired to wash it off last night). 

I bringing this up today because I feel God has been speaking to me to say something.

There is a song "The Cross has made You Flawless". It stood out to me for the first time about a month ago--the word Flawless. I soon forgot about though, until, this week, when I was struggling with insecurities a ton, and then I heard the song 3 times on different radio stations in the matter of an hour. 

NO ONE IS FLAWLESS ON THERE OWN.

Jesus came, he died on the cross because he loves us.

He washes our hearts clean.

The cross is the ultimate Instagram filter.

The cross is the ultimate foundation/primer/cover up all in one.

My outside body may not be flawless, but I know that I am forgiven and that Jesus loves me.

I will stumble and make mistakes, but because of the cross, I can seek forgiveness and Jesus sees me as flawless, even though I am an incredibly flawed human being. 

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever, believes in him, should not parish, but have everlasting life.

1 John 1:19

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

I will fall again, I will get caught up in self depreciation and comparison, but I know that I have God's unfailing love, and though I may go through seasons of doubt, he never fails.

Look at your heart though God's eyes. Do you have Jesus in your heart? Because that is what is beautiful to him. He doesn't care if you have messed up, and he knows you will mess up again.

He doesn't care if you have zits on your chin or lacking perfect eyebrows.

If you haven't yet, seek Jesus and let the cross make you flawless today.

Happy Saturday :)

Easter Sunday

Hi lovelies! I'm sorry I am soo behind on blogging! Over the next week I'm going to catch up!

I hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend. I had 2 Easter brunches this weekend, and I am kicking myself that I didn't take more pictures of my family!! I didn't take any!

These are the only little Easter decorations I have. I got the banner from Target and the bunny and eggs were gifts from my mom :)

I am loving all of the cherry blossoms this spring!!

Easter brunch number one was at my Cousin's home. There were lots of goodies! I made a dump cake from the pioneer woman. I didn't take a picture of it because it wasn't very pretty but it was sure tasty! I made the cherry and pineapple one but instead of white cake mix I used cherry chip cake mix. It is super easy to make, but one tip I have if you make it is to make sure you cover every inch of the cake mix with butter! It only bakes where there's butter and I didn't realize that so I had to add butter and then it baked a little uneven.

We made some crafts that my Aunt discovered on Pinterest. Her sample in the top picture turned out really well.

Mine, well it was more of a Pinterest fail haha ;)

On actual Easter we had a brunch at my parents' house. My mom used her special place mats that she bought in the Caribbean when she got to go on a cruise with my dad.

My mom and my youngest brother cooked. I wish I had taken a picture of the cream cheese stuffed chocolate dipped strawberries my brother made!

My nephew had his very first Easter basket. As you can see he's a busy little boy ;)

My sister-in-law put a very soft, personalized bunny in his basket. So cute!

What I wore: Dress: Old Navy (old) // Cardigan: Old Navy (old) // Rain Booties: ASOS (old, similar) // Bracelet: Charming Charlie

I did manage to get a picture of Joel & I. Unfortunately it was after it started storming! It was raining and thundering so we took a picture under the covered deck.

My mom & I made a quick shopping trip to our favorite shopping area, bridgeport village, Friday after I got done teaching and I got the bracelet at Charming Charlie. It was so cute I couldn't leave without it!

I couldn't go home without snapping a picture of this little cutie :)

I love that we celebrate Jesus' resurrection in the Spring. It's a reminder that we can be made new again through Christ because of his ultimate sacrifice. He gave his life in exchange for ours, so that we may be forgiven our transgressions and be made clean in Christ. New life comes in the spring, and new life comes through Christ at any time.

I hope you all had a Lovely Easter.
Happy Monday!

No Man is an Island

Just thought I would share what I read in my devotional this morning from "Jesus Calling", because it really resonated with me today. 

"Never take for granted My intimate nearness. Marvel at the wonder of My continual Presence with you. Even the most ardent human lover cannot be with you always. Nor can another person know that intimacies of your heart, mind, and spirit. I know everything about you--even the number of hairs on your head. You don't need to work at revealing yourself to Me.

Many people spend a lifetime or a small fortune searching for someone who understands them. Yet I am freely available to all who call upon My Name, who open their hearts to receive Me as Savior. This simple act of faith is the beginning of a lifelong love story. I, the lover of your soul, understand you perfectly and love you eternally."

Throughout my life, and even now as an adult, I have often felt like a misfit. Reading this devotional today, helped me to feel validated. Jesus understands my hurts and frustrations, and he knows why I feel sometimes bitter or angry. Does he want me to dwell on these things or act poorly because of them? I am sure he does not--but he understands me and I don't have to explain myself to him. I have been throwing myself pity parties for years and taking Jesus for granted. He is always there and he wants to be my friend, and yet I'm always searching elsewhere. 

I hope you allow Jesus to validate you today, he understands you, let him be your friend.

Happy Thursday!