You’re Already Lovely
March 10, 2026
Note: This post was originally written for Families on the Frontier.
He was gazing at me as if I were the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen in all his two months on earth. Eyes wide and pure and sparkling, unabashedly adoring. A tender smile across his tiny face.
I had been rushing by my two-month-old baby, arms full of dirty laundry and other clutter I was trying to hide before guests came over. But now I stood frozen before him in his little infant swing, afraid that any movement might scare his smile away.
Was it really for me? Maybe it was just one of those fart-smiles. Babies are known to grin as they work out their little bubbles…
But his smile wasn’t fading. No – this baby meant it.
I set down all the things I was carrying, leaned in closer… and that’s when I saw my reflection in his eyes. Disheveled hair, glasses sliding down my nose, dark circles under my eyes… yuck. I covered my mouth with my hand – Had I even brushed my teeth today?
Suddenly I wanted to fix myself. To freshen up. To make myself worthy of that loving gaze. But before my thoughts could spiral any further, he began to coo.
No, Mommy, he seemed to say. You don’t need to do anything right now. You’re already lovely!
Of course, I burst into tears.
I was a grumpy, sick, stressball mommy that day. But this guy loved me anyway. And in that moment, I was reminded of a truth I’ve been trying to rewire my brain to believe – I don’t need to make myself worthy of love or blessings. I receive grace upon grace because of who Jesus is (John 15:16, Romans 5:8, John 1:16).
And this has been a “grace upon grace” season – I was healed of gestational diabetes. Reunited with my missing dog. Was among the 1% selected for a coveted writing mentorship. Got pregnant following a miscarriage and years of trying. Gave birth to a healthy baby even though he arrived a month early. Was surrounded by a loving community who prayed this baby into being, celebrated with us every step of the way, welcomed his arrival with gifts and food and tears of joy. Watched my girls fall in love with their baby brother. Got to experience my son’s unwavering smile.
Each of these blessings were an answer to prayer. And honestly, most were prayers I barely had faith the size of a mustard seed for. Yet they were given to me anyway – definitely not because of anything I’ve done, but because of who God is and what he has already done. (And God would still be the same, good God even if he didn’t grant me these things… a tough truth I had to wrestle with as I offered up my measly prayers. But that’s a topic for another time.)
And somehow… without realizing it, I still find myself slipping back into the belief that God’s love and favor are something I can earn, lose, be cut off from: I should start each day with prayer, worship, and Bible reading. Be more present with my kids and husband. Watch my words. Watch my tone. Exercise. Eat less sugar. Look presentable. Keep my house clean. Give back to everyone who gives to me. Serve. Create. Be here and there and everywhere and be there on time. Be a life-giving friend, wife, mommy, daughter…
If I do all these things, then I will be worthy of receiving love and all the blessings I’ve been given.
But that’s not the truth.
The truth is, I am already a person worthy of receiving love and all the blessings I’ve been given. Worthiness is not a prize waiting for me at the end of perfect behavior; it is an identity I step into by faith. Galatians 3:5 says, “Does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.” It is not my actions that move the Holy Spirit and make miracles happen. It is what I believe that will bring transformation.
Dear Reader, is there an area in your life where you find yourself striving for transformation? I love these questions from authors Wendy and Steve Backlund:
What lie am I believing, and what truth do I need to replace it with in order to break this cycle and experience freedom?
Where have I been trying to do more to experience transformation — when what I really need is to believe differently?
Thank you, Jesus, that because of who you are and what you have already done, I am already worthy of all I’ve been given.
When I find myself stressed out and striving, please prompt me to pause and ask myself – Why am I doing what I’m doing? Is it to prove my worth to someone? Am I trying to make myself worthy of love that’s already been given to me?
Thank you that I am someone who experiences transformation, who walks in revival, who receives your blessings and releases your blessings to others. Thank you that all this is already true and already here. Amen.
