Drawing Designs on Your Body

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Psalm 139:14

Have you ever thought to yourself “I don’t understand my child!”? Me too! We have four children and I often marvel at how different they each are. My husband and I will often look at each other after one of our kids does something and comment “Where did that come from?” One afternoon, I had this thought about my daughter Analiah. God used this time to teach me about how He made Analiah and also taught me how to see myself.

Activity Time

During the weekend afternoons, our older three kids do stations downstairs while our youngest takes a nap. One of the stations is called “Activities.” We have a craft cupboard downstairs with a variety of things the kids can work on. During Analiah’s afternoon activity time, she decided to use a pen for drawing designs. Instead of using paper to draw on, she decided to draw on herself. I discovered this later in the afternoon.

My Reaction

In a tone that was calm as I could make it, I asked: “Why did you draw on yourself?” (I really wanted to yell “You’re not supposed to draw on your body!”) The Holy Spirit was working in my heart and encouraging me to get to the heart of what Analiah did. Analiah honestly didn’t see any problem with drawing on herself. She responded, “I really like designs.” We had a discussion about why we don’t draw on our bodies.  I made sure it was very clear. I could have stopped at that and given her a consequence for drawing on herself.

A Step Further

But, the Holy Spirit asked me to go a step further. I decided to meet Analiah where she was at. To embrace her for who God created her to be. She loves to draw and create. So, for her next activity time, I had Analiah lay down on big white paper.  I traced her whole body. Then, she was able to draw designs on her body to her heart’s content. Analiah loved that activity time and still comments about it.

God created Analiah with an experiential personality. She loves to explore, create and be adventurous. I don’t always understand her. But, Analiah was created that way for a reason. Instead of putting Analiah in a box, I need to let her be who she is. I desire to create opportunities to help Analiah thrive in who God created her to be.

Embrace your kids

Do you embrace your kids for who they are? Or like me, have you put them in a ‘box’ to be who you want them to be? I encourage you to look at how you can help your kids to be who God created them to be. Accept them just as they are. Embrace your child quirks and all.

You are also fearfully and wonderfully made. Do you embrace who God created you to be? Or are you trying to be someone else so you will be accepted? I challenge you to be yourself. Embrace who God has made you to be.

Heavenly Father, thank You that each of my kids is fearfully and wonderfully made. You created their personalities just as You wanted them to be. Help me to embrace who they are and help them feel loved and accepted right where they are. Lord, please show me the ways that I need to love and accept myself. Thank You for the way you created me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.