music monday// Christ in me

hi there! i hope you had a restful weekend. :) 
mine was productive and good! i spent a bit of it crafting new pieces of hand lettering art. you can check out my new crafts shop (Delali Creates Shop) here!

sooo today I'm sharing this song by jeremy camp that just wouldn't leave my head. 

i keep humming it unconsciously in between the buzz of these past days. 
the words carry so much weight and i'm hoping it means something to you as much as it does to me. :)

via 

Christ in me ~Jeremy Camp

In this obsession with the things this world says make us happy
Can't see the slaves we are in all the searching all the grasping
Like we deserve much more than all these blessing we're holding
So now I'm running free into an ocean of mercy unending

So come and empty me
So that it's you I breathe
I want my life to be
Only Christ in me
So I will fix my eyes
'Cause You're my source of life
I need the world to see
That it's Christ in me
That it's Christ in me

Done with what holds me down the things I once was chasing after
Throw off these heavy chains that I have let become my master
So now I'm running free into an ocean of mercy unending

So come and empty me
So that it's you I breathe
I want my life to be
Only Christ in me
So I will fix my eyes
'Cause you're my source of life
I need the world to see
That it's Christ in me
That it's Christ in me

In this obsession with the things this world says make us happy
Can't see the slaves we are in all the searching all the grasping

So come and empty me
So that it's you I breathe
I want my life to be
Only Christ in me
So I will fix my eyes
'Cause you're my source of life
I need the world to see
Only Christ in me
Only Christ in me
Only Christ in me
Christ in me 

 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."// galatians 2:20

I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me."// John 17:23

"If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness."// romans 8:10

"The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us."// 1 John 3:24

  This planet called earth is a world full of decay and sin and death and the only Source of life here is the Word of Father God as His Holy Spirit moves and brings the Word alive in the lives of those who seek salvation in Jesus Christ by believing in Him. 

If you're a Christian i'd like to encourage you not to give up or compromise on your faith in Jesus no matter what.
If you're caught in a cyclone of doubts and unbelief and wondering if this Jesus you keep hearing about is real, well let me just say He is soooooo real, closer than your breath and He is waiting, yearning for the time when you would eventually put your faith and trust in Him.
it is worth it. i promise!

dear you, please do not allow yourself to be polluted by this obsession driven world. more money wouldn't satisfy the void inside, more stuff wouldn't bring fulfillment, more relationships with guys and ladies wouldn't do it either. we're all broken cisterns and only Jesus truly satisfies the thirst of the human soul. only He can fill the void in the human heart.
Christ in you and i is the hope of glory! :)

xoxo,

 Delali

music monday// masterpiece

 hey, hey, hey! so itsss monday! yaaay!!! i hope this song i'm sharing today brightens your monday even if for a little while. i so love danny gokey. he sings from his soul. and this tune right here is food for the soul. enjoy! :)

 via

 masterpiece// danny gokey

Heartbreaks a bittersweet sound
Know it well
It's ringing in my ears
And I can't understand
Why I'm not fixed by now
Begged and I pleaded
Take this pain but I'm still bleeding
Heart trusts you for certain
Head says it's not working
I'm stuck here still hurting
But you tell me
You're making a masterpiece
You shaping the soul in me
You're moving where I can't see
And all I am is in your hands
You're taking me all apart
Like it was your plan from the start
To finish your work of art for all to see you're making a masterpiece
Guess I'm your canvas
Beautiful black and blue
Painted in mercy's hue
I don't see past this
But you see me now
Who I'll be then
There at the end
Standing there as
Your Masterpiece
You're shaping the soul in me
You're moving where I can't see
And all I am is in your hands
You're taking me all apart
Like it was your plan from the start
To finish your work of art for all to see
You're making a masterpiece
You're making a masterpiece
Heart trust you for certain
Head says it's not working
You're making a masterpiece
You're shaping the soul in me
You're moving where I can't see
And all I am is in your hands
You're taking me all apart
Like it was your plan from the start
To finish your work of art for all to see you're making a masterpiece

 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.// ephesians 2:10

  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.// romans 8:28

dear Christian, whatever you may facing, know that when you trust in Jesus He is making something beautiful out of your situation.

 be strong. He wants you strong! the humans He specially designed your purpose for need you strong.

you are a masterpiece, you can't give up now. :)

xoxo, delali. 

music monday// yearn

It'sssss mooodaaaay! I'm sharing this song i've come to love so much by shane barnard and shane everet. it helps kindle the fire within me and reminds me that the sole purpose of my life is to seek my Father in heaven, to seek His specific will for my life, to find Him and be sure not to wander away from Him.

 

 via

yearn// shane & shane

 

Holy design
This place in time
That I might seek and find my God
My God

Lord, I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
And over You
And only You

Lord, I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
Over You
And only You

 Lord, I want to yearn

Your joy is mine
Yet why am I fine?
With all my singing and bringing grain
In light of Him

I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
And over You
And only You

Lord, I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
And over You
And only You

Oh, You give life and breath
And in You we live and move
That's why I sing

Lord, I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
And over You
And only You

Lord, I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
And over You
And only You

Lord, I want to yearn

The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.// psalm 14:2 

 

 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him// hebrews 11:6 

 

Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, and to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. // isaiah 55:6-7

 

 For in Him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'// acts: 17:28

Our Father in heaven is on high, and His Spirit is searching the hearts of men to see those who are seeking for Him, looking and thirsting for Him and hungry to know more of Him, of His ways. it'll be such a tragedy for me to be on this earth and live selfishly for myself. the whole purpose of any human on this earth is to continually chase after God and live for Him.

I hope you always remember this. 

xoxo, delali.

soulful hymns// hark, the voice of Jesus calling!

heya! i'd like to introduce a new line of songs i'd be blogging about. guesssss!!!!

hymns!!! :D i grew up mostly catholic and got to learn and sing a lot of hymns plus i went to an all-girls catholic senior high school too. but well, with time i grew out of being catholic. i guess i desired something more, not to mention that i had a tad load of excuses to give not to go for mass on sundays especially during vacation times from school. a great deal of my sundays during my university life was my laundry time and watching unnecessary tv series + movies. 

lemme pause on this bit of the story and tell you about "why hymns?" considering it's 1:22 am and i awfully need me some beauty sleep.

via

so the long and short of my story about hymns is that, i sang them alright in church, but i didn't ever bother to actually hunt them down, learn the lyrics and collect them on my playlist. i found them too slow and well sometimes 'boring'

but these days, i've been pondering on how Father says in His love letters to us that we need to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to encourage ourselves. actually, all the 3 worship camps at which i recently served as one of the camp ministers had ephesians 5:18-19 as the key scripture. 

and i'm being reminded how hymns actually have deep meaning to their words. and you know ya girl, she likes deep. ;) i find the words of hymns carrying so much depth, so much weight. the depth that actually moves you to think some more on eternity and Jesus and the meaning of the lives we are living on this fleeting earth. this depth obviously comes from some of the difficult personal experiences of the composers. 

and this hymn...hark the voice of Jesus calling...there's just something about it. i came across it twice last month on 1st december and the second time a few days after that. the first encounter was when after going back to facebook after 3 years of deactivating my facebook account, i saw it on a friend's facebook wall. i didn't know why then, but the words meant something more to me than mere lyrics and i read each line with intrigue. 

the second encounter with this hymn was a few days after the first encounter. when i realized it was the same hymn that intrigued me on my friend's FB wall i went like, this hymn again! i shook my head in quiet disbelief but somehow smiled too. as i sang it with some lovely humans after a much convicting message about missions and missionaries, i just knew God was talking to me. as i sang this beautiful and compelling hymn, i couldn't withhold the tears. they flowed down unhindered and i wasn't in the least ashamed. i let them flow as Jesus was tugging at my heart yet again about what He had been telling me way back in 2013 before i actually went on a missions trip to south africa and swaziland about serving Him in ministry as a missionary. i just knew encountering this soul stirring hymn on both occasions wasn't some coincidence. (i'll fill you guys in on more details about the call Jesus has on my life to be a missionary + teacher).

so as i offer this hymn to you, as i share the richness of its lines with you, i hope it somehow moves you to ask Father what He wants you to do about its message, should you go for a short term missions trip? has He called you to be a full time missionary? ask Him, talk it over with Him. in matthew 28:19 Jesus says we should GO and make disciples of all nations. every Christian is a default missionary wherever they find themselves. 

there's just something about soulful hymns. really, there is.

enjoy this lovely goodness. :)

Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling// Daniel March

Hark, the voice of Jesus calling, 

"Who will go and work today?

Fields are white and harvests waiting,

Who will bear the sheaves away?"

Loud and long the master calls you;

Rich reward He offers free.

Who will answer, gladly saying,

"Here am I. Send me, send me"?

If you cannot speak like angels,

If you cannot preach like Paul,

You can tell the love of Jesus;

You can say He died for all.

If you cannot rouse the wicked

With the judgment’s dread alarms,

You can lead the little children 

To the Savior’s waiting arms.

If you cannot be a watchman,

Standing high on Zion’s wall,

Pointing out the path to heaven,

Offering life and peace to all,

With your prayers and with your bounties

You can do what God demands;

You can be like faithful Aaron, 

Holding up the prophet’s hands.

Let none hear you idly saying,

"There is nothing I can do,"

While the multitudes are dying

And the master calls for you.

Take the task He gives you gladly;

Let His work your pleasure be.

Answer quickly when He calls you,

"Here am I. Send me, send me!"

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”// Isaiah 6:8

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples: "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field." // Matthew 9: 35-38 

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord. // ephesians 5:18-19

"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." // colossians 3:16

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose." // acts 16:25-26

singing hymns is a very powerful tool against the enemy. it causes miracles, it helps me to dwell and ponder on Jesus some more and on things that actually matter on this side of heaven.

I hope this hymn means something deep to you after sticking it out with me, reading all my words above. i promise, i didn't mean to write so much, it just kinda happened. ;)

well, so Jesus desires for us, His children and friends to obey Him and share His gift of eternal salvation with others. you are a default missionary where you are. what is your response? 

xoxo, 

gen delali.

music monday// here i am anyway

Hi guys! so I sorta promised to be back to tell ya'll abut the depression thing. ok, so for starters enjoy this song. it leads to bits of the story I need to tell.

via

here I am anyway // josh wilson

I'm like Moses in the desert
When that bush went up in flames
You said, "Go and tell your story"
He said, "God, what will I say?
I'm so scared, unprepared
What difference will I make?"
Sometimes I feel the same

                                                                                                                                                                              If it's weakness that You want
I've got more than enough
But some days I am so afraid
To show this world your love
But I'll give You all of me
And my insecurities
God, I don't have what it takes
But here I am anyway
Here I am anyway
God, I've got so many questions
Wonder why You placed me here
You have given me these passions
But they come with so much fear
Sometimes it don't make sense at all
But I guess if I was brave
Then I wouldn't walk by faith   

If it's weakness that You want
I've got more than enough
But some days I am so afraid
To show this world your love
But I'll give You all of me
And my insecurities
God, I don't have what it takes
But here I am anyway
Here I am anyway
 

 If You say go (If You say go, if You say go)
I won't say no (I won't say no, I won't say no)
If You say go (If You say go, if You say go)
I won't say no (I won't say no, I won't say no)
 

'Cause it's weakness that You want
That's how You show Your love
Your power is made perfect
When we are not enough
 

If it's weakness that You want
I've got more than enough
But some days I am so afraid
To show this world your love
But I'll give You all of me
And my insecurities
God, I don't have what it takes
But here I am anyway
Here I am anyway
Here I am anyway, anyway
Here I am anyway, anyway

This song by Josh Wilson is my jam! Especially during the wilderness years of my life after service. You see, the plan was to snag a scholarship abroad for masters right after my one year national service. But it so didn't happen that way. Father had been telling me many times about His purpose for me to teach and be in ministry but I was like nah, abroad is more lit! (not to say that if you want to go abroad for studies it's bad. Absolutely not! Just be sure if that's where God wants you to be. We all have different journeys). 

So back to the story. I could literally not wait to say goodbye to these streets of broken promises of ghana and start over somewhere far, far away. So of course, I gave many excuses about why teaching is not not not my thing.

I told God :
I'm shy so I can't handle being in front of a class.
I look way too young for my age and the kids will bully me.
It's not what I want to do.
I don't like it.
The money ain't great.

So God being who He is, He allowed me to wander around for a couple of years, searching for a job I thought I'd like (far from teaching) and depression set in along with some crazy accusations and betrayals.   

Then, after a couple of years, He mercifully presented me a chance to teach. I had applied for masters at Uni of Ghana{my alma mater} so I was like, ok since the results ain't in, lemme just do this teaching thing for the meantime and move on to do the masters when I slay the entrance interview and exam.

And slay I did. But the interesting thing is, by the time my admission was in, I loved teaching so much I decided to defer! I know, sounds crazy...

But that's what happens when God leads you to walk in the purpose He designed you for. You might think you're not cut out for it, yet He still tells you to trust Him and obey. Cos He knows you better than you know yourself. He's awesome like that! 

And the abroad plans? Well this is where Father has me now, and I'll bloom right where He's planted me until He tells me to move. I'm glad the Norwegian quota scheme and all the scholarships bounced me cos I'd rather be walking in purpose. Who would have thought I'd come to love these streets of broken promises?! I can't quite believe it sometimes! 

The time I spend teaching the kids and getting to know their sweet hearts is so fulfilling that I don't regret or second guess letting go of my masters for now. He's actually leading me to do something different related to teaching/ministry for further studies. Whaaaaaat?????!!! Mind blown!!! This can't be me. This can't be the same ol' Genevieve! This can only be Jesus!

   

Like moses, we all feel inadequate sometimes concerning what God is telling us to do. But obeying Him is so worth it, I promise! Ask our good, good Father if what you're doing is what He's told you to do. If it is, carry on, Love warrior. If not, please obey. 

And turns out I'm not even that shy like I thought. I'm not nervous when I'm teaching, it's like I've been doing it forever. And the kids do NOT bully me! And God is taking care of me each day. #winning. & abroad? yeah it's lit alright. But my purpose right here, right now is more lit cos I'm abiding in the will of my Daddy.

Okay, I'm done telling you my life story. Carry on with your life.

    

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

xoxo,

gen delali

music monday// You make everything beautiful

So valentine’s day is around the block…again. And you find yourself single…again. Fret not, you’ve got company. Whether you’re single or taken by a godly person, you are loved beyond measure by the Author of love.

via

I’m not worried about my future sweetheart. I know God is preparing him for me and our future children to be a loving and diligent husband and daddy to me and our kids. To be honest, my thoughts have been soaked wet more about my purpose and using the gifts God has given me to bring Him glory. I know He has my sweetheart in mind, and this is just a waiting season where I’m supposed to grow and mature properly into the full stature of Christ. I know He’s setting the stage for future hubs and me to meet, cause He told me so! And I believe Him!

So while your girlfriends are going on special dates this valentine, remember that love is not just about guy-girl relationships. Ahh, love is so much more! There’s your family, friends, strangers, lil kiddos to love on. You can go on a fun outing with some of your single friends and enjoy your friendship, and snuggle with a great book later. Don’t wallow in loneliness and mope around. Life is bigger than a significant other. There are aching, homeless, hungry people to reach out to. Be the light of Jesus where you are. Remember to pamper yourself too- manicure and pedicure anybody? Wear that lovely dress just because, and cook your favorite meal. Drink a bit of some sweet wine or your fav drink and be thankful for His breath of life and love within you.

You make everything beautiful~rebecca st. james

Grant me serenity to accept things,

The things I cannot change.

Grant me the courage, Lord

To change what I can,

Wisdom to know the difference.

In my weakness You can shine,

In Your strength I can fly and

You make everything, everything beautiful

You make everything, everything new.

You make everything, everything beautiful

In its time, in Your time, it’s beautiful

Grant me serenity, Lord,

And patience, for things will take time

Grant me freedom to walk a new path

And let me feel Your love.

Lifting open hands to You, my Savior,

Beautify my soul.

Knowing You redeem my pain and failure,

Purify my soul, beautify my soul.

 here's the inspiration behind the song

“but He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 corinthians 12:9

“an unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs; her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit…” 1 corinthians 7:34

“there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…He has made everything beautiful in its time…” ecclesiastes 3:1,4,11

“but seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“but as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” micah 7:7

via

In His own beautiful time, our gracious and loving Father will bring our Godly men into our lives. I urge you to focus on God and His purpose for your life. I hope you don’t become so desperate for a guy/girl that you lower the Godly standards God has for you. With or sans a guy, you are unbelievably loved! Alone is not lonely, so it’s better to be alone and have your integrity than to cheapen yourself by hookng up with some guy. Patience is a virtue. You have the desire to be in a Godly relationship leading to marriage because God most likely put that desire there in your heart. Allow Him to write your love story. It’ll be beautiful! Wait and see. :)

xoxo, gen delali.

music monday// finish what He started

so, the year is wrapping up in a couple of days, and maybe you were hoping for certain things to happen this year, but perhaps things didn't quite turn out like you hoped. well, if the desires on your heart are the very desires of God for your life and He placed them in your heart, then surely, He has an appointed time for His plans to unfold in your life. 

via

this year has been a re-routing of my plans. Daddy stepped in and led me to His plans. i had to let go of my will and submit to His will for me. and it isn't as if my will was bad, no. but it was still not the sure, original plan He had in mind for me even before i was conceived. it's been a hard season of adjusting and waiting. He's been reminding me to make full use of certain gifts He's given me, and He's been drawing me to Himself so much more in this season, and placed some adorable lil' people in my life to love on.

i know, oh, i know that His plans are farrr better than my wildest dreams, knowing that the highest form of holiness is the release of my will to Him.(remember before the cross when Jesus prayed- 'My Father if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. yet not as I will, but as You will'? yurp.--matthew 26:39) and i know that i will be more fulfilled in what He's leading me to. so, i'm choosing to dream the dreams of my Father.

i know that whatever good work He has started in me, He is going to see to it that every single word He has spoken to me will become a reality. He has His perfect timing which is not necessarily my timing. He is faithful and i will see His goodness, and twirl in His bliss. i'm a change in the making.

finish what He started~ mercyme

i don't have to know you to know that you will go through hard times, it's just part of life

don't let that moment blind you, and don't let it define you.

take heart, that's not who you are.

our God is able, more than capable to be faithful to the end.

He'll finish what He started.

no matter what you've done, grace comes like a flood

there's grace to carry on, He'll finish what He started.

no matter what you face, His mercy will not change.

He's with you all the way, He'll finish what He started.

remember you're forgiven, so there's no need to give in

to the lie that you're disqualified.

this work He started in you now, He's faithful to complete it,

the promise was sealed when He cried out "it is finished!"

He'll finish what He started.

"...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." philippians 1:6

"many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him.' but You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high." psalm 3:2-3

"...but He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness...' " 2 corinthians 12:9

 "when He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'it is finished.'..." john 19:30

" 'blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil His promises to her!' " luke 1:45

"the One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it." 1 thessalonians 5:24

"so is My word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." isaiah 55:11

"now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! amen." ephesians 3:20

via

His seemingly 'delay' is not His denial. no matter how cruel 2014 has been, you are still alive, breathing, with purpose thumping in your heart, and Love coursing through your veins. Daddy is a faithful Father. let His wave of hope wash over you. He will lovingly swipe away our shame and lift our heads. ask Him what He's up to in your life and be in hopeful anticipation for what He's going to do in your life this coming new year. 

to all my 'silent' readers and not-so-silent readers, thanks for tuning in this year. i'm thankful for all the lovely bloggers i came across this year. i love the way you guys show Jesus!

 2014, you and i, we've had our ups and downs but it's time to say goodbye. bye, 2014!

'see' you guys in the new year! :)

xoxo, gen delali.

music monday// more beautiful you

hi, you! yes you! i want to let you know, you are a treasure, a beautiful work of art by the Creator of the universe. you are treasured and valued. dig into the Word and know what God, the most important being ever says about you. some people may not acknowledge this truth about you, but that's ok. cos what's important is that you know. and you believe it.

via

 please, do not cheapen yourself for someone's attention. the right people meant to stay in your life will not make you beg for their affections. God made you for sooo much more than what this world lets you on. stay close to Jesus and let His Word wash over you with it's powerful, world-altering Truth. you were made for an important purpose, a special, specific purpose that you need to focus on. i hope you seek the Lord and allow Him to lead you in your purpose. let Jesus be the sun your world orbits around.

this song holds so much truth with each sentence, you just gotta soak it in.

more beautiful you~ jonny diaz

little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine, says she wants to look that way

but her hair isn't straight, her body isn't fake and she always felt overweight.

well, little girl fourteen i wish that you could see that beauty is within your heart

and you were made with such care, your skin, your body and your hair are perfect just the way they are

there could never be a more beautiful you

don't buy the lies, disguises and hoops they make you jump through

you were made to fill a purpose that only you could do

so there could never be a more beautiful you.

little girl twenty-one, the things that you've already done, anything to get ahead

and you say you've got a man, but he's got another plan, only wants what you will do instead.

well, little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come,

you starve yourself to play the part, but i cam promise you

there's a man whose love is true and he'll treat you like the jewel you are.

so turn around, you're not too far to back away,

be who you are to change your path, go another way

it's not too late, you can be saved.

if you feel depressed with past regrets, the shameful nights hope to forget

can disappear, they can all be washed away

by the One who's strong, can right your wrongs

can rid your fears, dry all your tears

and change the way you look at this big world.

He will take your dark distorted view and with His light, He will show you truth

and again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl.

"for You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. i praise You because i am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, i know that full well." psalm 139:13-14

"your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewellery or fine clothes. rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 peter 3:3-4

"keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' so we say with confidence, 'the Lord is my helper; i will not be afraid. what can mere mortals do to me?' " hebrews 13:5-6

"since you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life." isaiah 43:4

"for the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-control." 2 timothy 1:7

"since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of othe Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. that means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. we have far more interesting things to do with our lives. each of us is an original." galatians 5:25 (MSG)

pretty is as pretty does. you are pretty because of the sweet, godly person you are inwardly. you are beautiful in your own unique, original way. please, do not compare. do not compete. you are beautiful. :)

xoxo. gen delali.