Loved Anyway

We went camping in the mountains this past weekend.  Have I mentioned before that I’m not a huge fan of camping?

That may be an understatement.

While it was great family and friend time and while we thoroughly enjoyed each other, couldn’t we have stayed at a 5-Star instead?  I digress…

You see… my idea of “camping” away from home is a nice hotel with chocolate on my pillow accompanying the turn-down service.  Starbucks within driving distance.  Target accessible, if necessary or bored.  Chick-fil-A close by and a mani/pedi option available.

This “camping” trip wasn’t the kind I prefer.  🙂

It was hot… dusty… buggy.  I had layers upon layers of sunscreen and bug spray caked on over sweat and grime.  There were no showers.  I stunk.  My hair was matted… my skin dirty.  I was just plain nasty.

Let’s just say it was not my finest moment.

As we got in the car to leave that cruel wilderness, my husband leaned over and kissed me and said, “Hello gorgeous.”  I thought, “How could he actually say that to me looking and smelling like I do?”  When I asked him, he said, “Because I know what’s underneath it all… and you’re beautiful regardless.”

Wow… I’m a lucky woman.

But you know what?  God thinks THAT same thing about US.  He can see who we really are… who He designed us to be… under all our dirt and grime and sweat and defenses.

Regardless of our filthy sins… our embarrassing pasts… our overwhelming strongholds… in His eyes we are beautiful and worthy.  He sees right through it all and looks at us with deep, unfathomable love.

Why?  Because He formed us in His likeness and His creation brings Him great joy.  He loves us!

Genesis 1:27 says “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

He knows what’s underneath it all… and He loves me anyway.

And you know what?  He knows all of your dirt and grime… and loves you regardless, too.