Day 13 - Very Good

"God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them...God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good." 

(Genesis 27 & 31a)

We've heard the story of creation hundreds of times. We know that God created light & darkness, sea & land, animals, etc. But have we read it carefully? Hidden in the this story is a fundamental truth about who we are as women. There is a distinct pattern in the story. When God's work is complete at the end of each day, he looks at what he has made and he says, "it is good." Then, there is an intentional and important language change on day six. God creates man and woman in his own image, he looks at them and he doesn't say, "it is good." He says, "it is very good." 

We are made in God's image and are the climax of creation. The hand that formed the sea, the stars, sunsets, and all that we today hold as beautiful to admire, also made us... and in his eyes, we are more beautiful than even the grandest of sunsets or the brightest of shooting stars. He formed us in our mother's womb and when he had completed his work he said, "it is very good." He didn't say, "well, that will do" or "it's okay but I've done better." He said "she is VERY good, her goodness exceeds the goodness of all my creation."

Today, when God looks at us, he doesn't see a mess that needs to work harder to be seen as beautiful. He didn't create us with a clause that we must powder our nose or dye our hair to be very good. He sees into the interior of the heart, he sees the daughter that he created us to be, and his words resound, "very good." Woman is beautiful not be her own merit but because she was crafted by the hand of God. We don't earn our "very good." "Very good" was given to us as a gift. The dignity of our creation was a free gift of love. We need only to accept the gift, to believe that we are "very good." This is the first step to true beauty.

You are VERY good. Believe it. Be grateful. Except the gift. Live it.


Today's Challenge: 
Each time you step before a mirror today, remember God's words to you, "it is very good."

Today's Prayer: 
Heavenly Father, Thank you for creating me in your image. Help me to believe that I am "very good" and to live as the daughter that you have created me to be. Transform my heart and whisper to me the truth whenever I forget how very good you made me.  I love you Jesus, more than anything. Amen.