A few weekends ago, I went on a women's retreat. It was an amazing time and God showed me some incredible things! The theme of the weekend was Shalom. I am not going to take the time now to explain the depths we dove into on that topic. I will, however explain just a little bit about what God taught me that weekend.

The last session of the weekend, we were using scripture to directly combat specific lies that keep us from shalom. These lies came from our first session. The lies chosen did not resonate with me. I felt God asking me to read the verses that had been chosen to combat the lies. I read through them. Matthew 6:25-31 really stuck out to me. I have read those verses and have heard many sermons about those, but not in the way God wanted to speak to me.

Basically, He told me that the flowers and the grass are beautiful simply because God made them to be that way. If I, who am more cared for than those, are made in God's image, how can I be anything less than beautiful? The simple answer is that I can't be anything but beautiful!

now comes the hard part...getting my head and my heart to believe it. Though that is proving easier than I thought.

Last night I was watching my friend's little boy, Tenyson, for a few minutes while she went around and socialized. Another friend came and joined me. Her little girl, Nadia, was playing with Tenyson. I was laughing with them both and encouraging the interraction between them. Tenyson got my attention (I think he was trying to get my glasses or some such action...) and Nadia said the coolest thing. She tapped me on the shoulder and whispered in my ear, "Miss Christa, you are beautiful!"

How sweet of God to give me such an honest compliment from a child in a time when I was not expecting it! I gave her as big a hug as I could and thanked her very much!

God is awesome!

me