Good Morning! I am exhausted today! This past weekend was mine and my husband's 25th High School reunion. It was a combo reunion, Classes of 82, 83, 84, 85, and 86. Jeff was Class of 84, I was 85. It was a weekend I will always treasure. Getting all of those people together and having such a super time. The coolest thing was all of the screams and squeals you'd hear when two people who hadn't seen each other in a long time would recognize each other and run into each other's arms. It was a special weekend indeed.
If you are visiting here from the Proverbs 31 Devotion, welcome! I hope the message in today's devotion was helpful and encouraging for you.
Admittedly, for a few months now, I've been a little nervous about this reunion. I'm not the size 8 or even 10 I was hoping I'd be. With that said, I've been very focused on God's perspective lately. When approaching a situation I say, "If God was in my shoes, what would He be thinking? How would He feel? What would be most important to Him?" This has helped me so much! I've been able to take my thoughts and eyes more off of myself and onto others. And I've enjoyed my life a little more even though I'm going through a lot of tough stuff right now.
When I really took the time to soak in what it means to be God's Masterpiece, WHOA! It makes me stop and I almost have to gain my composure again. It's that amazing and incomprehendable to me. I just can't grasp that! And not only am I God's Mastepiece, but so is everyone He created. When I look at everyone else that way, it makes me want to be a little more patient and kind to all of the Masterpieces in my life. I had a great opportunity to do that this weekend.
Are you convinced that you are a Masterpiece, created by God? You were created in His image. Wow, you really are beautiful then aren't you? Yep, you sure are ;)
When you finally can look at yourself the way Your Designer looks at you, you gain a freedom to live more in the moment and with appreciation for yourself, not pity. I thank God today for creating me, His Masterpiece. And I thank Him for creating you too. Afterall, we are made in the image of God. We are His Masterpieces. And that my friend is just pretty darn special!
Hugs and Blessings,
Melissa
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17 comments:
I really needed this today. I was in the car after taking my daughter to school, and thought, "Why do I always put myself down? What would it be like to actually believe in myself, to not always be so insecure and think that I can't do anything very well?" Then I came home and read your devotion today. It's a glorious thing to think that God sees me as a masterpiece! Thanks!
Have you ever heard the song, "Masterpiece" sung to the tune of "Majesty"? The lyrics are:
Masterpiece, God's perfect masterpiece
I am chosen and called to be His own;
Masterpiece, I am God's masterpiece,
Beauty He gives, daily He lives His life in me.
So I'm free, perfectly free to be all He asks of me;
Taking His hand, my life is planned
He leads the way.
Masterpiece, I am God's masterpiece
Work of His hands!
I understand!
Jesus is Lord!"
Needing His reminder,
Hugs, love & prayers,
Joy
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for writing this devotional today. It spoke to my heart and was something I really needed to hear this morning. I also shared it with my children.....
Many blessings, Jeannie
WOW, I really needed this today. This devotion is a confirmation of my Pastor's message yesterday about the Potter's Wheel (Jeremiah 18: 1-6). As many times as I have heard that story about God taking His time to mold us to be usable vessels, it had a new meaning to me yesterday, because I've never felt as though I was good enough to really receive God's love, grace and mercy. I've been saved for a very long time (30 plus years), but outside and inside forces have always told me that I was not good enough, not pretty enough, not smart enough, you name it I've either heard it, mostly from my own mouth or thoughts, never see a masterpiece. I've always been my own worst critic in everything I do; never seeing the positive things that others see in me and if I eventually do, I always manage to pull the smallest negative thing from it and dwell there. But this message and the message yesterday was God confirming His love for me as the Masterpiece He designed and showing me that I need to see what He sees, not what my lying eyes see. He's nowhere near finished making and molding me, but at least He's still working on me and that I am glad about.
Thank you for being a part of my breakthrough moment and I thank God that He uses people like you to deliver the message to someone just when they need it. You never know when it will change someone's life or perspective. May God continue to bless you!
Your comments are so true...being another 23 years older than you, I understand how looking in the mirror or getting on the scales can make us question ourselves. But, when we stay focused on the Lord, He will give us an inner beauty that far outshines any outward appearance. Many years ago, when I was in my early 20s, an older neighbor lady gave me the wise advice of dressing with a femine look rather than just wearing jeans & tee shirts. Whenever I have the chance, including every Sunday (all day), I wear a skirt & blouse or dress.
OH Melissa, I don't feel particularly bad about myself today, but there are definitely days when I don't want to leave the house. I am going to put you as a blog I follow on my page. I feel quite sure God sent me the nudge to click to see your blog from the P31 devotional because I don't usually do that. There's always room for encouragement isn't there? BTW: I think you are beautiful:) Thanks for reminding me that God's work is always a masterpiece.
Your E 4 T really spoke to my heart today. I have been really hard on myself lately and you reminded me that I am God's creation! Thanks!
Wow!... Wow! Thank you Melissa!
Melissa,
Thank you for reminding me that I am God's Masterpiece. I have only been getting the P31 Devotions for a few weeks now and I have to say they have daily meant so much to me. I read a day late, because I go to work so early. I get the devotion after I go to work, and I "save" it until the next morning, so I just read it and it is awesome. My name is Melissa also. I didn't read your name as I began reading so as I got to the part that said Oh, Melissa... I really thought it was just for me. I have a hard time feeling like I am anyone's Masterpiece, although I have the best husband in the world that is forever telling me things like that. But to be reminded that I am God's Masterpiece is well, very comforting and encouraging. I believe I will face my day differently today. Thanks again.
I went through a similar experience with a reunion last year. I had hoped to get fit, tan, haircut, nails... Well, I ran out of time to look "perfect" for the reunion. But, fortunately, God spoke through a pastor at much church the weekend before, and He continued to work on my heart that week. The point He drove home was: my classmates were dying in sin, & I was worried about how I looked! How humbling. The thought that still sticks out to me is "How different would it be if I just forgot about my image and decided to love others?" With my priorities straight, I had several meaningful conversations, sharing the love of Jesus with my classmates!
I am so glad I found your blog!! I struggle with negative thoughts about my self image constantly.
What a blessing to have found this site! Thank you so much!!
Wendy
I just read God's Masterpiece...Who Me? in my email box. Thank you for that verse - Ephesians 2:10
My 9 year old daughter was diagnosed with Scoliosis. I was able to share this verse with her. She is God's masterpiece and her Scoliosis is His fingerprint on her life. What a different attitude she has that what some of the people around her expected. One is particular was very sad and hugging her and consoling her. But she said that she is HIS masterpiece and God knows exactly what is going on.. He has since before the creation of the earth. It's amazing how the Holy Spirit will work through this ministry to give me the right word or verse RIGHT at the right time. THANK YOU!!!!
Melissa,
It just amazes me how God sends just the right words at just the right times.............when we turn to Him for help and guidance.
Your devo today was "just what I needed!!!" God used you in a powerful way!
I need to remember that a Masterpiece is something that, when completed, is something that the Artist looks at and says, "I am pleased."
While I strive to please God and many times fall short, I need to remember that He is pleased with me and my efforts as long as I am living for Him.
Thank you, Melissa, so much!
God bless you!
Your comments are so true...I love reading your posts....
I am still so new to the land of blog, but so loving reading others stories.
Everyone has a story and so many of them are so touching....
Hope you will stop by for another visit.
The May give-away has started and this month there will be 10 winners. I will be blogging from Disney World soon...
What a neat idea to combine classes like that. I went to a small high school and we all knew each other, so it would be fun to have a big crowd like that. I was class of '83!
Isn't it sad that most do worry what other will think, especially if we aren't as we were back then. Hopefully, we have all matured in areas that really matter, not just kept the figure of a teenager.
Praise the Lord... reli glad to see the message... actually was preparing message and my topic was You are God's Masterpiece. Praise God for the confirmation given by God to go ahead with this msg. I am going to share it with our youth in our Youth Meeting on next sunday. Pray tht it pleases God.
Regards/vijay
hello Melissa,
thank you very much for posting the lyrics of Masterpiece sung to the tune of majesty. i was making a liturgy and find it hard to look to song on the theme "God's Master piece" until I find your blog.
bluerivernile@gmail.com
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