You look pretty.

Me and my beautiful baby girl.

Me and my beautiful mom.

Just a little something I've been thinking about now that there's a little girl in my life...

It goes without saying that a woman's self-worth should not stem from her outward appearance. But what little girl doesn't want to be told she is pretty? And what woman doesn't want to be told she is beautiful? I think every female, young or old, longs to feel lovely. Inward beauty is, of course, the most valuable kind of beauty a woman can possess. That's the kind of beauty that speaks to the hearts of those she encounters. It's the kind of beauty that encourages, comforts, nurtures and shows love. And it does not fade away. Yet there is something so sweet about hearing the words "You look pretty".

Obviously I'm no super model. I've gone through chunky phases. My skin's never been great. There has certainly always been room for improvement when it comes to my hair (and today is no exception). But throughout my childhood and young adulthood, without placing too much emphasis on outward appearance, my mom and dad made me feel like I was beautiful on the inside and out. For as long as I can remember, my mom and I have had this little exchange on a regular basis.

Mom: "Has anybody said that you look pretty today?"
Me: "Has anybody said that you look pretty today?"
Mom: "You look pretty."
Me: "You look pretty, too."

Even though it was the same every time, the conversation always felt special. In a world where little girls and women of all ages are forced to compare themselves to Photoshopped images of thin, smooth-skinned, silky-haired, well-endowed women, being told she is beautiful just makes a gal feel good.  Even if she fusses and insists that you must be blind to say such a thing, she wants to hear it. She needs to hear it....even if she heard it yesterday. And guess what, girls? We are beautiful. Each of us. In our own way. I don't care if you think your nose is too big, or your eyebrows are too thick, or your hips are too wide, or your chest is too flat, or you hair is too frizzy, or your skin is too wrinkly. You are God's creation and you are beautiful. So if somebody tells you that you are beautiful, or even if they don't, you can wholeheartedly believe that you are.

I hope to do the same thing for Elizabeth that my parents did for me. I want her feel beautiful. I will tell her that she is pretty, lovely, and darling. I will tell her how precious and sweet she is. I pray that she will know what a wonderful creation she is, on the inside and out.

And mom, just in case nobody has said it to you today...You look pretty!