Sometimes it’s tough being a girl! Whether you are outgoing or shy, a tomboy or a girly girl, silly or serious, it can be really hard to feel comfortable with yourself. This devotional is filled with stories and thoughts about how God created us to be healthy, strong, and confident—both with our bodies and our minds—because we are daughters of the great heavenly Father. The goal of Brave Girls ® is to encourage you to appreciate yourself as God made you and to help you grow strong in your relationship with Him. Beautiful You will help you really see yourself as brave and beautiful inside and out . . . just like God made you! Jennifer Gerelds is a freelance writer who has invested the past two decades writing Christian devotional books and Bible articles for both children and adults. Teaming with publishers such as Thomas Nelson, Worthy, DaySpring, Ellie Claire, and more, she funnels her creativity, passion for the gospel, and real-life experiences as a wife and mom of four daughters into creative stories that help illustrate biblical truths. Her most recent works include the DaySpring devotionals Waking Up to Grace , Peaceful Promises for Restful Sleep , and Everyday Grace for Friends , as well as children’s books including Thomas Nelson’s Prayer Bible and the Brave Girlsseries. Brave Girls Beautiful You By Jennifer Gerelds, Olga Ivanov, Aleksey Ivanov Thomas Nelson Copyright © 2016 Thomas Nelson All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-7180-7611-5 Contents Introduction, vi, Beauty Basics, 1, Radiant Reflections, 23, Works of Beauty, 47, Beautifully Clothed, 75, Kingdom Fitness, 95, Creative Beauty, 115, CHAPTER 1 Beauty Basics Introduction to Beauty Basics If you know me, then you know how much I just loooooove girly things like pageants, dress-up parties, perfect outfits, and a really good updo (that's a fancy hairstyle, for those of you not into that kind of thing!). I love beautiful things because they make my heart happy in a way that's hard to explain. When I see something beautiful, it's like I want to become a part of it. Since everything beautiful comes from God, I guess it's His way of helping me see Him, appreciate Him, and want to know more about Him. In this next section, I hope you'll learn to see — maybe for the first time — all the beautiful gifts you have in your life if you belong to Jesus. Our connection with Him not only takes away our sin but also adds all kinds of beautiful things to our lives — like being adopted into God's family forever and being promised a home in heaven for all of eternity. Belonging to God brings amazing color, beauty, and joy into our everyday lives. Simply opening our eyes to see the beauty God has placed all around us helps Him transform us into the beautiful people He has created us to be. — Glory Forever Love Day 1 Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from the love God has for us. Romans 8:38 How do you know when you are loved? Write some of the times you have felt loved: _____________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ When do you feel loved? Is it when you get hurt and your mom or dad puts a bandage on you and holds you close? Is it when your best friend stops what she's doing to listen to you? Is it being forgiven when you've messed up? Love can show itself in a million different ways, but it always has the same effect: it makes us feel warm, safe, important, and secure. But because people are sinners, they can't always love perfectly. It might even seem like some people might stop loving you altogether if you aren't good enough. But God isn't like that. The Bible says God is love. And because you are God's child, He gives you the greatest and most forever kind of love you could possibly have — He loves you like He loves Jesus. Best of all, nothing — not even death — can separate us from God's love. No matter what happens, His kids are always safe, important, and secure. God's love never ends. There's nothing more beautiful than that. Prayer Pointer God, help me believe that Your love for me never changes and that it lasts forever. Beauty Reborn Day 2 If anyone belongs to Christ, then he is made new. The old things have gone; everything is made new! 2 Corinthians 5:17 What would you like for your birthday? Circle the items that interest you: • new clothes • old tennis shoes • a new art set • used pencils • a new phone • your brother's old basketball You probably didn't pick any of the old stuff. Birthdays are supposed to celebrate life and new beginnings. People give new and special gifts for birthdays, not old or worn-o