I attended a breakout session that shifted something deep inside of me.  The session was entitled, "The Supernatural Power of Beauty." Our speaker shared about her journey growing up with different ailments that created a struggle for her to believe she was beautiful.  She noted how people who loved themselves always seemed beautiful to her, and others were drawn to them.  At a young age she prayed to God, "God, show me how to love myself," believing that this change in her would open doors to share God's love with others.

She shared how God had given her this little story to help her understand an important truth.  In the story there is a starving little boy in Africa.  He lives in a small village under the care of a guardian.  One day a group of people from World Vision show up to feed this boy.  The guardian stops them and refuses. 

     "This boy does not deserve any food today, he ruined my breakfast this morning - dropped it all over the floor."  The World Vision workers leave, deciding to return tomorrow.

     "Could we please feed this child, he is starving," the World Vision workers plead the following day.

     "No, " the guardian responds, "he is ugly, he does not deserve to eat."

     The World Vision workers are saddened by the situation, but return the following day to try one more time.

     "You can not feed him, "the guardian responds, "he can not carry water like the other children.  He is worthless."

     Heart broken, the World Vision workers have to leave.

The speaker shared that God said she was like the guardian - and the starving child.  When she looked at herself she saw the mistakes, the things she didn't like about herself, or the things she couldn't do like others, and she felt defeated, disqualified.  When God's unconditional love showed up at the door  to nourish her, she denied it access, because she felt undeserving.  And she began to starve herself of His love. 

I began to cry as she described the story, knowing I have been starving myself of His love for most of my life, convincing myself I had to earn it somehow or was unworthy of it for a multitude of reasons.  She shared that when moments come up where she is tempted to feel defeated, she asks herself, "Is this worth starving myself of love?" She sets her mind on God's grace and unconditional love for her, and feeds her spirit with Truth from His Word.

This speaker became a great teacher to me.  I've already begun to respond differently to situations in my life - instead of becoming defeated, I remember who God is, and who He says I am, and choose to learn, love myself and move on.  

It's my most treasured beauty tip.  

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When I die, I want to leave a legacy that lives.

I've been thinking a lot about my Nana lately. If you've been reading the Daily Fast Fuel for very long, you may recall that she died over two years ago. My sister and fellow DFF writer, Sara Rust, have both reminisced about her here in these pages. But tonight, I have to share with you that she has been teaching me some special things lately.

My Nana left me a legacy of love so strong that I still feel it today. Often. And when I say that I still feel it, I don't mean that I remember that she loved me. It is more than that.

I experience her love. 

You know that overwhelming feeling you get when someone does something really selfless for you? The kind of action that evokes this feeling of safety, security, and which leaves you not just thinking, but feeling you are loved beyond expression?

My Nana still makes me feel that way, even though she has been gone from this earth for over two years.

I am determined to leave such a legacy for my own loved ones. What a powerful thing! To live in such a way that you continue making people feel loved long after you are gone...

I find it fascinating that we so often judge people's ability to influence and impact the world around them based off of their education, their professional credentials, and in this social media world, their followers.

But, by contrast, my Nana had none of those things. She never got beyond a High School Degree. She married young, and had a family early. The only profession she knew from that point on was how she provided for her husband, her two boys, and ultimately their two families...not to mention legions of friends she made along life's way. My Nana never met a stranger and she was a fiercely loyal friend. That said, her world was fairly small and simple.

What my Nana did was love all of us so well, that we feel her still today. We experience  her heart, often.

There is another I know of that left that kind of legacy. He left a love so strong that people didn't just remember it. They experienced it, and Truth be known, generation upon generation continue to experience His love. What a powerful legacy!

There is not a doubt in my mind where my Nana learned to do what she did. Nor is there a doubt in my mind where I need to go to learn to do the same.

Why don't you join me? Let us build legacies worthy of the hearts of those who will come after us.

Amen.

Katie Pickard is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.