YOU are enough.

This post is especially dedicated to all beautiful ladies... You are incredible, just the way you are (:

Never forget, YOU are enough.

“Know oh beautiful soul that you are the image of God. Know that you are the glory of God.”-- St. Ambrose of Milan

I am not a philosopher, I am not a famous or inspiration speaker.  I am just a simple, young woman who has struggled like so many with fitting in and accepting myself.  This summer I learned from those around me and from the situations God placed me in, how important I really am.

It was a rainy and chilly spring day.  I had just attended prom with two of my friends and was driving home the following morning.  While on the highway, I lost control of my car and ended up spinning for three minutes unable to brake.  By the grace of God, there was no collision and I ended up leaving the accident with just a neck/head injury from the spinning.  After MRIs, Xrays and four months of physical therapy, I was left feeling a little helpless because I still wasn’t feeling better and my injury had left me unable to do what I loved the most-running.  Unable to run, I felt like I was worthless and not as strong as I once was.  It left me feeling like I lost my outlet, my strength and my superpower. I fell back into the track of not eating regularly (something I had struggled on and off with for quite some time) and forgot how important it is to remain the Father’s child no matter what storms come to pass.

Because of my helplessness, I decided I needed to take a step that I had never felt the power or strength to take before.  I admitted to myself that I was struggling with an eating disorder and that I needed to get help.  I have struggled with my self image, my body and my diet for over five years.  Not eating was my way of controlling my life when nothing seemed to make sense.  It was something I had always known deep down inside was not right, but I had never had the courage to tell my friends or my family what was actually go on inside of me.

I finally decided that I needed to speak up.  I first told a few of my friends what was going on inside of me.  I finally went to my mom and told her the reason that I hadn’t felt at peace lately and how I wanted to ask for help. After our conversation, a feeling of love and acceptance flowed through me.  I finally felt at peace with myself.  Admitting the fact that I wasn’t okay and removing the mask that had hid my struggles for so long was the best feeling in the world.

Then it stuck me.

God was taking this opportunity to tell me a secret.  I heard him speak in the silence of my heart… Your struggles, they don’t define you.  You are perfect, for you are mine.

Each one of us, as daughters of God, is born with an invisible crown on our heads.  We are noble, beautiful princesses.  No one, absolutely no one, can take that crown.  Sometimes it falls and we forget who we are.  But, we have to pick up and put the crown back on our head.  We are enough.  God made us perfectly, each of us is beautiful.

I just wanted to share with you all that God is hope and God is love.  If you are feeling discouraged, not good enough or insecure, please please please do not forget that you are right where God wants you to be.  Please don’t give up, keep fighting on.   

God places in our lives people who will help us through our struggles and help us feel appreciated when we just cannot realize it on our own.  Think about who those people are and write them down.  Every day say a prayer for them and also a prayer asking the Father that you are able to be for someone in your life what they were for you.  

If you are struggling with any of the things that I have struggled with, that’s okay! God is so merciful, so compassionate, so understanding.  

I want to leave you with a few tips to help you through your struggle.

-Please do not underestimate the people God has placed in your life.  He has them by your side for a reason.  Don’t forget that.

-Don’t be afraid to share with others what you struggle with.  Removing the mask and letting go will not only help you it will also help them overcome unknown inner battles they face and will also help them relate to you on a deeper level.

- Be patient with yourself.  Understand that where you are right now is okay and that you don’t need to be at the same place as those around you.  

-Mary, the Mother of God, is always there for you.  She is the perfect example of peace and the ability to trust in God no matter what situation she faced.  The Blessed Mother is always there for us, by our side, supporting and loving us.  Turn to her when you are feeling lonely and afraid.  She will take perfect care of you!

-Keep on smiling, because you, my daughter in Christ, are beautifully and wonderfully made!

“The greatest risk any of us will take is to be seen as we are.”--Cinderella