Preview! Thoughts for March are taken from the new devotional, Diva Delights.

Stretch Marks—A Sign of Beauty?

“The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. “

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)

                 Stretch marks!  Yuck!  These culprits appear in over 50% of women during pregnancy. Initially showing up as reddish or purplish lines, the indentations give a different texture to our skin. As I understand it, stretching occurs in the dermis, the resilient middle layer of skin. The dermis is designed to retain the shape of the skin, but when faced with constant stretching due to growth, it breaks down and leaves stretch marks.  Fortunately, stretch marks eventually turn lighter into a silvery white hue. They may even fade and become less noticeable over time. In our impatience and distaste for our skin changes, we may try cream remedies or treatment from a dermatologist. Some women accept them as a part of body changes, ignore their presence, and hope that they diminish. Some women complain every time they look in the mirror.

                 Do you have stretch marks, life stretch marks? I do. I developed stretch marks when I took a new job. Learning the ropes of a company, being trained in a new area of my profession, and working in a new environment moved me out of my comfort zone and gave me stretch marks. I’m math and directionally challenged, yet parts of my job description as a supervisor involved budget development and travel around the state of Virginia. New red and purple stretch marks appeared, then gradually faded as I was mentored and developed my confidence. My expanding stretch marks reappeared when I moved to another state and needed to make new friends and find my niche. I had new stretch marks again when out of my comfort zone, I attended a writer’s conference and talked with publishers for the first time. Stretch marks occurred when a friend and I parted ways. Hurting and learning, my stretch marks brilliantly appeared and took a while to diminish. My friend Sue developed stretch marks as she cared for her aging mother at home and eventually made daily trips to a nursing home. Another friend has stretch marks because of estranged family members.

                 God uses stretch marks in many areas of our life as He wants to grow us and develop us into women with strength and character. Though we may feel as if we are breaking, stretch marks are reminders of growth, development and beauty. Quick remedies don’t work, ignoring them isn’t effective, and complaining doesn’t help. Look in the mirror. Acknowledge the stretch marks, appreciate them, and yes, even be thankful for them. You’re expanding, but you won’t break. Stretch marks are beauty marks of growth.

Prayer: Father, I have been stretched in so many ways. I want to see my stretch marks as marks of growth and development and have the right outlook as I do. Amen.

Extraordinary Treasure to Ponder: One of the most poignant accounts in the Bible is Mary’s response to the angel’s announcement that she, as a young virgin, would bear the Messiah. Surely Mary was a young girl who was stretched in her circumstances and her responsibilities.  Read the account in Luke 1: 26-55 and journal your responses as you read this passage with new eyes.

Your Extraordinary Treasure: Today’s verse reminds us that God is faithful when He calls us to do something. Mary’s response in Luke 1:38 speaks of her confidence. How do you see these verses as an encouragement to find treasures as you develop stretch marks? What extraordinary treasures have you discovered as you reflect on today’s reading?