Perfectly Polished by Kaitlyn Minze

I remember at a very young age watching the cartoon, Mulan. There is a song called “Reflection” in the movie and I vividly remember resonating with every word that Mulan sang. I sat there wondering when my reflection would show who I truly was, just like the character. As I grew up, that question continued to linger and eventually it grew into a gaping hole of identity struggles.

 

One day, after some extreme hardships I had been facing, I found myself staring at my reflection. Again, I stood there questioning, “When will my reflection show who I am inside?” I searched for something about myself that I loved. After a long time of standing there, unable to come up with anything, I dialed that down to try and find something about myself that I liked. I still was unable to find anything. The lies from the enemy were loud and I didn’t realize how to identify that yet. Shame and guilt were uninvited guests and I had accepted myself as “not enough”.  Eventually, I looked down and saw my bright pink toenail polish. For one week, I woke up each morning and spoke a positive affirmation over myself stating how great and awesome that polish was!

 

After that week ended, I decided I had to look deeper than something that was a mere extension of me. Although the polish was pretty, it really didn't have anything to do with me. So, there I stood, one more time staring at my reflection. I searched, longed and prayed for something about myself that was worthy of loving. Something that I could have as an affirmation each day. I finally, in a puddle of tears, decided to focus on my heart.

 

You see, in doing that, I allowed God room to begin a restoration in my life. I realized I had forgotten that I was set apart. I had forgotten that I was chosen. I had forgotten that I was made for a purpose.  I forgot how full of love my heart was. Therefore, I had forgotten how to even love myself and got lost somewhere along the way. I believed the lie that because of my mistakes or things that had happened to me, God overlooked me.

 

Perhaps you are in that place today or the words above are familiar to you.

Sweet sister, let me remind you of a few things. Your beauty shines far beyond the polish on your toes. I pray you know that with every fiber of your being. But if you don’t, maybe even if you do, I’m supposed to remind you of some important things today.

 

You are a woman of God full of authority, purpose and power. You, dear sister, are fully known and fully loved. You can be you, no need to hide behind a mask and pretend to be someone you’re not. You are the apple of Gods eye and He delights over you. He will never reject you and He always understands you. You are ENOUGH! There is no other person like you on the planet and you are irreplaceable. There is one you. One beautiful, chosen, worthy and purposefully made you. And oh, what a treasure you are!

 

God never mistakes your identity.

 

“Lord, you know everything there is to know about me. You perceive every movement of my heart and soul, and you understand my every thought before it even enters my mind. You are so intimately aware of me, Lord. You read my heart like an open book and you know all the words I’m about to speak before I even start a sentence! You know every step I will take before my journey even begins. You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past.
With your hand of love upon my life, you impart a blessing to me. This is just too wonderful, deep, and incomprehensible! Your understanding of me brings me wonder and strength. (Psalm 139:1-6 TPT)