”Underneath The Beautiful” is the working title of my photo book. It is a picture of a person who has an old soul with young eyes, a vintage heart, and a beautiful mind. She stands out from the crowd. I am no writer but her sparkling eyes,  radiant smiles, the beautiful soul made me want to write for eternity. She has been tarnished by the views of generations, painted on with society’s standards, but if we wipe away the dust, and polish the heart within, you will discover that the surface underneath is lustrous. Proverbs 31 offers a description of many faithful seasons in the life of a virtuous woman. It whispers to us the true identity of a woman that was created by God to have value.

“Underneath The Beautiful” is a reminder to me that something actually happens while nothing is happening. God uses waiting to change us. It is also the confusing in-between.

“Underneath The Beautiful” takes us to the cross to get a fresh look at the crushing death of Jesus and what it means to our lives. Underneath is beautifully broken. When thinking about “beautifully broken”, it reminds me of how God uses brokenness for beautiful things. Yes, we are broken and flawed, but our identity is not found in our mistakes, those aren’t who we are. The beauty in our brokenness is that it doesn’t have to be the end. God can take all broken pieces and put them back together and use us for His Kingdom. God has used so many different ways to remind me that no matter what I feel, think, do, or experience He can take it all and make something beautiful out my mistakes and pain.

“Underneath The Beautiful” is a story of redemption and restoration.

“Underneath The Beautiful” is about all of our stories intertwined, that is now made even more valuable and more beautiful.

Both your story and mine have unique characters, surprising plot twists, central themes, tension and suspense, unexpected twists and turns and trials come into our lives, many of them being entirely out of our control, and deep significance. But the author always knows how the story is going to end before the characters do. In our story God shows us what he’s up to and what he wants us to be about.We are ordinary clay pots. The Potter and our Creator, who we belong to, is Jesus.

Just by being His makes us valuable. He has created us, and also loves us and sees us. Declared worthy. Sometimes we don’t believe the truth of that. Those are feelings, not facts. You are His. That’s what matters most.

“Underneath The Beautiful” is my life story though impatience tried its best to take a hand at writing my story, all of the in-between chapters of waiting developed me and deepened my love and reliance for God, the Author of my story. He was making me aware of His authority and ongoing creative work in my life,

where I am a pencil and a photographer in the hand of God.

“Underneath The Beautiful” Is my life journal of what God has been teaching me. If I let God write my story, miracles begin to happen. Beautiful things happen when He says it’s time and that God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.

“Underneath The Beautiful” Is God’s message to me that God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. (Lamentations 3:25,26 The MSG)

“Underneath The Beautiful” Is a reminder to me that I should not lean on my understanding and that my life is in the hands of Maker of Heavens. And If I give it to Him, He will make something beautiful out me.

It took me five years to understand my calling. Ben’s message was planted in my heart as a seed. Now I can see it growing.