Woman Of Promise: Letters To The Single MotherSample

Day 6: Promise: God alone defines you.

Dear Single Mother,

God alone defines you.

I know you don’t always like the reflection you see in the mirror. 

God created us in His image and yet, when we look into the mirror, we are more likely to examine each wrinkle, blemish, and perceived flaw. We pluck our eyebrows, exfoliate our skin, dye our hair, apply the concealer, suck in our tummies, and attempt to lose weight to feel beautiful, desired, or perhaps just acceptable. 

Not surprisingly, we are just as likely to judge our inner selves with as much self-condemnation and deprecation as we use outwardly. 

What do we use to define ourselves? What parameters do we use to determine our self-worth? Do we wear labels designated by society? Race. Socioeconomic level. Marital status. Political affiliation. Profession. Religion. Age.

Or do we define ourselves by those words spoken over us by others regarding our inabilities, faults, or weaknesses? 

Dear one, consider abandoning this worldly system of self-identification and embrace who God deems you to be instead. You are treasured (Deuteronomy 14:2), adopted (Romans 8:15), protected (2 Thessalonians 3:3), and cleansed (1 John 1:7–9). You are courageous (Psalm 118:6), powerful (Philippians 4:14), and eternally loved (John 3:16). 

Bring your thinking into alignment with the truth found in God’s Word. Instead of focusing on your self-image, self-esteem, and self-identity, focus on who you are in Him. For there will you find your worth, purpose, and truest reflection of who God created you to be. 

Believing with you,

Michelle Lynn Senters

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!" Luke 1:45 (NIV)