You look in the mirror and notice everything that’s missing, unfinished, or not quite right.

God looks at you and sees something else entirely.

New Voicemail from God — 7:18 AM

I want to tell you about the way you don’t see what I see in you.

I see beauty where you see imperfection. I see strength where you see weakness.

– Jacqueline Whitney

You look in the mirror and see the things you wish were different. The flaws. The mistakes. The places you haven’t healed yet. The version of yourself you wish you were. I look at you and see something else entirely.

I see the woman who keeps showing up even when it’s hard. The one who’s been faithful in seasons that asked too much of her. The one who has loved people who didn’t always love her back the same way. The one who has been kind in moments she had every right not to be.

I see the resilience you’ve stopped giving yourself credit for. The wisdom you’ve gathered from what didn’t work. The softness you’ve protected even after everything. The depth you’ve earned by living through what most people couldn’t.

I see beauty where you see imperfection. I see strength where you see weakness. I see who you’re becoming where you only see who you haven’t been yet.

You’re not who you think you are. You’re so much more. I wish you could see what I see. I wish you could love her the way I do.

Jacqueline Whitney is the author Held: A 50 Day Devotional For Parents and All That You Deserve.