Queen Katherine Parr: Beyond Survival

Lightning splits the sky, so I dash inside the nearest store, before I’m drenched. A woman polishes.

“Welcome, Hayley. I’m Nancy,†she says, placing the duster to one side. “Come on in. Get shelter from the rain.â€

“How do you know my name?†I ask, transfixed by the treasures and jewels on display.

Nancy smiles, saying nothing. Removing a golden key from her apron, she unlocks the glass cabinets, lifting out the jewelry boxes. Prisms of color sparkle, dazzling beyond measure.

“They are beautiful,†I whisper in awe, afraid to peer too closely in case I damage something. “I can’t afford any of these.â€

“They are not for sale,†Nancy says. “Each one of these gems is exquisite and unique. They can’t be compared. It wasn’t an accident you came here today.†She hands me a box.

“Oh, what’s this?†I ask, opening it up and discovering an ordinary pebble.

“This is how you see yourself,†Nancy says. “You tell yourself you’re worthless, as if you were not designed by a loving Creator. As if you were not created in God’s image. As if you do not belong to Jesus, who has made you a new creation through your faith in Him. God invited you here today to remind you how much He loves you.â€

I shudder. “How can she know?” I wonder. My throat dries up, scalding tears fall, shame stains my cheeks.

“You may see yourself as worthless,†Nancy continues, “but this is what God sees when He sees you.†Suddenly, the pebble changes, radiating a beautiful light and shining more than any precious stone I’ve ever seen.

“Forgive me, Father,†I whisper, falling down to the floor. “Please forgive me for believing lies about myself.â€

“He already did,†Nancy says. “You are precious. God loves you. View yourself as He sees you—with truth.â€

Standing up shaking, I feel renewed. I look around the now-empty room. Now that I truly understand how God sees me, I can’t waste another moment. I smile, for the first time in months, and step out into the sunshine. • Cindy Lee

• Do you question your worth in Christ? In this broken world, we often believe lies about ourselves. Reread today’s Bible passages. Who are we in Christ? How can these truths help us combat the lies we hear?

I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. Psalm 139:14 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Esther 4:14; Romans 8:28; Matthew 28:19-20