Children’s Book

At one time or another we wish we had something that we don’t have. We might even obsess about it and in our moment of feeling sorry for ourselves, jealousy creeps in.   There is no way of escaping it. We make up in our head visions, what if I had blue eyes like hers, or thinner legs, or ______, I would be prettier.

We think we are missing out on something. If only I had more money, or if I had nicer clothes, or prettier teeth, or_____________, I would be so much happier.

Ever since I was little I wanted long hair that was thick and curly. My hair is flat, thin, and breaks into split ends before its length gets past my shoulders.   Just recently I have accepted the fact that my hair looks better short.

As a child I’d wear a blanket over my head pretending it was my beautiful hair.   I took ribbon and made ponytails out of it.

I remember studying women with long hair and how they carried themselves. I copied their ways pretending I was all grown up.   This made me feel happy and confident.

When it was time for me to start school I couldn’t wear my blanket anymore and I missed it. I didn’t feel pretty. I thought I was less than because of my straight hair and short bangs.

As a teen I spent hours in front of my mirror creating all kinds of styles. Sometimes I was o.k. with it but not in comparison to those fortunate girls with the pretty hair I wanted.

Just the other day my little blue eyed, blond hair girl had a blanket on her head. She came running to me shouting Mommy look, “I have long hair.” I smiled and giggled a little.   I showed my acceptance

I felt tears in my eyes as she turned around to play. You see there is more to this story.

Kaylee has hair like mine and she wants long hair just like I did. It tangles all the time and her bangs are constantly in her eyes.   When I take her to get her split ends trimmed she tells the beautician that she wants them to make her hair long. “I want pretty hair like yours!” she will tell them.

Oh my sweet girl if only you realized how pretty your hair is already.   No matter how many times I tell her this she is going to have to believe it for herself. She is going to have to accept herself.

The thing is, we all struggle with that feeling that we are not good enough. We are constantly comparing ourselves and we don’t always measure up. It’s our sin nature screaming I want to be more.

In time we learn that our happiness doesn’t come from looks or things. Our happiness comes from realizing that we are God’s creation. We are vessels for Him to shine His light through.

We start by accepting that God made us.

My favorite scripture is Psalm 139:13-14 (NLV)

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it,”

Just recently I met Janis Cox through another blogger. Immediately I sensed a connection and I pursued her. Sure enough she loves what I love. Turtles!!! She has written and illustrated a children’s book with a cute little turtle called Tadeo. I fell in love with her water color illustrations and her story touched my heart. Tadeo is a turtle who thinks he would be happier if he could play and move around like the other animals if it wasn’t for his shell getting in the way. Eventually he realizes that what he has and what he can do is indeed good enough.

My son said to me after reading this, “Mom I think this is going to by my favorite story now.”

My daughter snuggled tightly in my arms after I read her the story and I told her that God made her beautiful.

This book is our family treasure and it is also filled with wonderful crafts about how to make turtles. Guess what we will be doing this summer?

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