As soon as you wake up in the morning it starts.

You do your makeup and it isn't as good as you want it to be. Your hair just doesn't bounce the way it should and your smile seems crooked. Nothing you put on seems to fit the right way or even look like it should belong on your body.

Then you head out for the day. You feel uncomfortable and continually duck your head and avoid eye contact. No one should notice you.

And if anyone does? Constantly, you wonder do they really like me? They're definitely going to leave soon. I probably am annoying them so I shouldn't text them. I wonder if they're out without me..and if they are I bet they are talking about how weird I am. Heck, i bet they have moved on by now.

At the end of the day, Netflix has your back and you find something that makes you happy--art, music, poetry, that one random comic. But only in the comfort of your own home with no one else around.

I'm going to make myself very clear--STOP IT.

As a girl who struggled (or still struggles) with anxiety, depression, self esteem, self confidence, eating disorders, terrible dating habits, and many more, know that I have been there. How do you think that was so easy for me to type? I woke up everyday thinking that I wasn't worth it. I wasn't anything to look at, I wasn't beautiful...really I just wasn't enough.

Now mind you, I don't live in a broken home. My mom and dad love me and tell me I'm beautiful and I got attention from other people (even the occasional boy), but I could still shrug it off.

It actually got to the point where instead of feeling like I wasn't anything to look at, I would do anything to just get a glance. I didn't believe I was special enough to grab anyones long term attention so I took measures like wearing low cut shirts, shorter shorts, and making myself something to look at. I went from not enough to way too much. It wasn't until my senior year in high school--and an encounter with God and a whole bunch of crying girls--that I finally got it.

I am worth it. And no one can tell me any different.

To the first girl I was:

You are amazing. Sure, you're weird and have a funny sense of humor. But you're so smart. You shine so bright and just because your hair doesn't look like the models and your clothes aren't name brand or even a size 3 doesn't mean you're not enough. You are fearfully and wonderfully made! God made plans to prosper you and give you hope! Luke 12:7 even says "Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." MORE VALUABLE, not less, not equal; but more. No one can tell you that you aren't worth it and no ones opinion has any input into who you are. Because the one opinion that actually matters is already set; and He is pleased with you and loves you even died for you.

To the girl I then became:

You are beautiful. You do not need a man to show you affection for anything other than the words out of your mouth and the character in your heart. The attention you are seeking is shallow and though it feels good now, they don't actually care about you. A few nights later you will be crying wondering what you were thinking and why they aren't responding to you. But guess what? None of them are worth your heart. "Guard your heart" isn't to be taken lightly. There are people out there who are ready to pounce and take any drop of innocence they can, and then leave. They aren't looking at you because you're awesome, they look in hopes of touching. and they DO NOT deserve any ounce of you, queen. YOU are a prize to be won, my dear. Do you really think that hooligan of a boy loves you? He loves your body, and what will your husband say later when he finds out you have given away his prize to be claimed to some sweet talking douche full of lust? You are so much more. You deserve a boy who thinks you hung the stars, who looks at you amazed and in awe, who wakes up and thinks how in the world did i get the privilege of loving this woman? And don't you want to be able to give him your full heart? You are a child of the King which therefore makes you a princess. Does a princess not deserve the kingdom?

Girls, look at it this way. If you had the nicest car on the block, you paid it full with all of your savings and you're so proud to have this car. Then you meet someone who is super nice and really seems into your car. They shows interest and really eye the thing. So they're kind to you, flatter you and make you laugh. Then asks for the keys. let me take it for a spin.

uh....no?

You know dang good and well their butt ain't coming back with that car. They think just because they set up a few smooth sentences they can take that away from you?

But with your heart? your love? heck your virginity? Half the time that is all it takes for you to lose yourself in a guy. or just to lose yourself. The cheap words people say should not determine how you act.

Or what about if someone talked terribly about that car..you wouldn't just go sell it right? No! You worked so hard and who cares if one person doesn't like it: you love it!

But with your image? your body? your lifestyle? You so easily throw away who you are and doubt yourself that you can't even see what a prize you really are.

Girls, you deserve so much in this world. You are wonderful creatures who carry the world on their lovely little shoulders. You do not need to be putting yourself (or others) down. If you wake up and see anything but pure excellence you're WRONG. Because in every single one of you, I see a story of beauty and grace. and He sees the world. You are on this earth for a reason. You have a job to do and people to reach. Your life has meaning. So what if you're a size 14, if you have a pimple on your forehead, if you like comic books, or if you have braces. Your outward beauty only half reflects your inward. And lordy, it shines. You are so beautiful. Don't ever forget that.

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30