You Have Value, Momma–Prayers and Reminders for Momsনমুনা

You’re Beautiful, Baby A teen mom stood in front of me, holding her baby and looking uncertain. Little did she know that every new mom feels the same way—unsure how to care for the helpless little one in her arms. This teen mom is raising her baby in El Salvador, surrounded by poverty, crime, and hopelessness. This new mom has an advantage though. Next to her stands a loving mentor named Maria—someone to walk beside her, to teach her, and to love her. I stood nearby, listening, while the mentor began teaching. She found a reflective surface inside the tiny shack. Maria positioned the new momma in front of the cloudy mirror, baby in her arms, and encouraged her to say, “You’re beautiful, baby.” Maria explained that children need to be told they are loved and beautiful. She encouraged the momma to repeat the lovely phrase over and over again to her baby, “You’re beautiful, baby.” Back at my home, the cloudy, cracked mirror being used would be garbage, but here it was a treasured possession. What happened next brought tears to my eyes. Maria lovingly looked the momma in the eyes and said, “You’re beautiful too. God loves you so much, He sent Jesus for you. When you became God’s child, He no longer sees your imperfections; He sees the righteousness of Jesus. He says, ‘You’re beautiful, baby.’ Remember that every day and repeat it to your child. Your little girl will grow up understanding she is beautiful. When she becomes a momma too, she will continue to share that beautiful message with her children.” Maria explained that in El Salvador, children aren’t told they are beautiful. Women aren’t told they are beautiful. Culture makes it difficult for moms to give to their children something they never received. Helping a mom provide uplifting encouragement has been one of the most important aspects of her training. We cannot give to others what we do not have ourselves. Maria’s lesson that day wasn’t meant for me, but it is one that shines brightly in my memory—a message that taught an important lesson. Do I truly believe that God sees me as beautiful and dearly loved as His child? Have I accepted His love, so that I can give it to others? Over the next four days, we’ll be studying who we are in Christ—moms who are dearly loved, made in God’s image, forgiven, and equipped. Come along with us on this journey. A Prayer for Moms: Father, what a joy to know that my beauty comes from You. Thank You for loving me as Your child—Your little girl. May I pass along Your love to my children, reminding them each day that You loved them so much You sent Jesus. May my heart always be full of Your love so I have love to give to my children. Thank You for loving me. *This devotion was inspired by an experience by Naomi Overton, former US Product Strategy Director for Compassion