Truth Inspired Stories
You Matter Series
The Mirror’s Revelation: Embracing the Beauty That You Are As God’s Masterpiece
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In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, He set in motion an extraordinary plan—a story woven with threads of profound love and redemption. It is a story that reaches into the depths of our souls, whispering of the invaluable worth that resides within every human being. From the very beginning, when God fashioned humanity in His own image, He gifted us a uniqueness that is tethered to value and significance. We are not mere accidents or coincidences but rather masterpieces crafted by the hands of the Divine Artist Himself.
A Mirror to Our Hearts
As we journey through the pages of the Bible, we encounter a tapestry of stories that resound with the resolute message that “you matter” in the eyes of God. Among these stories, there is one that Jesus, the gentle and compassionate Teacher, shared with His devoted disciples—a parable that holds a mirror to our hearts.
Imagine, if you will, a shepherd tending to a flock of one hundred sheep. Yet, one of these precious animals, filled with adventure, strays from the fold. Now, pause for a moment and envision yourself in a crowded room with one hundred souls. Would you notice the absence of one? And, would you tirelessly search for that one, forsaking all other endeavors until it was found?
With unwavering determination, the shepherd journeys into a fervent pursuit. His commitment to finding the lost sheep reflects the very essence of God’s unwavering love—a love that cherishes each individual.
Within His love, our worth is found. It stems not from who we are but from who He is.
But God, He not only uses His Word, but He mobilizes His people to accomplish His purposes—to remind us who we are in Him.
—Stephanie Richmond
A Mirror to Our Thoughts
Sometimes it can be far too easy to look in the mirror and doubt every word of this truth. I am certainly guilty of falling into negative self-talk the second I see my reflection. But God, He not only uses His Word, but He mobilizes His people to accomplish His purposes—to remind us who we are in Him. Little did I know who He was about to mobilize to redirect my gaze back to Him.
She looked me in the eyes and said. . .
“You are beautiful, and I am praying for you.”
Those are the words my grams spoke over me when she video-called me in the wake of excruciating hives. She doesn’t know how to video call. But, it isn’t beyond her to ask for that kind of help. She also isn’t one to say goodbye before she hangs up. She will just straight up say her closing statement and then—CLICK. Meanwhile, you’re still carrying on the convo. It makes me laugh every time.
It was the fastest phone call ever, but it was super impactful. It helped me to realize that a mirror’s reflection is not only a confrontation of the unvarnished truth about our outward appearance, but it’s also an opportunity to recognize the pivotal role our choices play in shaping our lives.
—Kerri Weems
I would go on to add that the choices we make about how we think about ourselves matter, too.
This year, I fully embraced the autoimmune protocol (AIP), and I made the conscious decision that there’s no turning back. And, I am so glad because my persistent muscle and joint pain faded away, replaced by increased energy and a noticeable improvement in my skin’s appearance. However, when hives suddenly surfaced, I lacked that simple belief that my grams had when she called me.
My grams saw past the hives and saw me—a beloved and valued daughter of God. Her response reminded me that I am beloved. I am valued. I am a daughter of the King. And while my grandma’s responses are often fickle and ever-changing like the wind—one second loving and the next abruptly intimidating—it doesn’t change God’s truth. I am valuable, and so are you.
Our worth is not found in the fleeting measures of this world but in the eternal worth of our Creator. He has fashioned us with purpose and love, making us invaluable in His sight.
Here are some things that I’ve sought to embrace about finding value and significance in the midst of facing various trials. His faithfulness is evident in suffering—it is a testimony of His love for us. . .
- God is sovereign. God allows things to happen to us that don’t always make sense. I have no clue what caused my hives or how we will financially pay for the testing needed. Still, I wholeheartedly trust that God has already established my steps. I need only to seek Him and trust that He is in control.
- God is loving. When we encounter suffering, God faithfully meets us in the depths of our pain, orchestrating a communal pathway to healing and redemption. He uses community to remind us of His goodness and His grace. So many people have rallied behind me through my hardships with prayers, fasting, and words of encouragement.
- God leads us. He provides a bridge from our weakness to His strength. He is a very present help in our time of need. Through the trials I have faced, He has helped me seek support from those around me, an act that required courage and humility. Through these vulnerable moments, I witnessed His love magnified!
- God pursues us. In our weakness, His power is made perfect. It is not diminished by our weaknesses; instead, it is perfected in those deep places of suffering. His strength shines the brightest in our most vulnerable moments—meeting us in the lowliest of places and lifting us up where our hardships become our greatest strengths because of Christ.
Our worth is not found in the fleeting measures of this world, but in the eternal worth of our Creator. He has fashioned us with purpose and love, making us invaluable in His sight.
—Stephanie Richmond
A Mirror to God’s Love
God is all these things and so much more! His calling over our lives is what led us to creating the “You Matter” Collection. Within the tapestry of this collection, we find the threads of His wonderous truth interwoven with colors that resonate with the beat of our hearts. It exists not only to inspire us to recognize our worth in the boundless eyes of our Creator but also to re-ignite within us a flame that extends love, grace, and acceptance to every fellow traveler on this journey of life—especially those “filled with adventure straying from the fold.”
With brushstrokes of affirmation and hues of hope, the collection serves as an authentic declaration of the profound significance we each carry within. It invites us to embrace our true worth in the mirror of God’s love, compelling within us a transformative power that radiates in every facet of our existence.
So let the “You Matter” Collection be a mirror that reflects the undeniable truth of our worth, a symphony that sings to the depths of our hearts, and a witness to the divinely ordained purpose to love God and love neighbor. May we walk away from this blog post remembering “that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” –Psalm 100:3
About the Author
Stephanie Richmond, a Texas native, is a missional wife, mother, and homemaker who loves the Lord deeply. She has a passion for sharing Jesus with others—her dedication to her faith and her family shines through in all aspects of her life. Stephanie co-labors alongside her husband, Nehemiah, to lead Truth Inspired LLC. She enjoys homeschooling her children, discovering new autoimmune-friendly recipes, reading all the books, and DIYing all the things. Clearly, she loves making up words, too.