“Look at your siblings, Dianne,” said Auntie Liza. “They’re so beautiful!”
Dianne held her juice cup tight. Her smile faded. What about me?
That night, she ran to her room, jumped on her bed, and hugged her pillow.
As tears fell, she whispered”I’m not beautiful.”
Later, she opened an old photo album.
Flip. Flip.
There she was—a little girl in a green dress, holding a flower, trying to smile.
“That’s me…” Dianne said softly. But the thought stayed in her heart.
Growing Up
As she grew up, Dianne studied hard and became a student leader. She did her best, even when she sometimes felt not enough.
One day, Dianne received an award at school. When her name was called, she stood on stage.
“Congratulations!” the host announced.
Her family clapped proudly.
She smiled, but deep inside, she still felt unsure about herself.
A Prayer and an Answer
That night, she prayed. “Hi, God… I feel small.”
She opened her Bible and read. “People look at the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
God was not looking at how others saw her. He saw her heart.
In her heart, she felt peace: You are already Mine.
Dianne closed her eyes and whispered, “God sees me. And I am loved.”
Think About It:
Have you ever felt like you weren’t good enough?
What does it mean that God looks at your heart, not just the outside?
How does it feel to know that God loves you exactly as you are?
Remember:
God doesn’t see you the way other people see you. He sees your beautiful heart—and He loves what He sees!
The author, Nadia Santos, is a Filipino educator and writer who creates meaningful stories, devotionals, and learning materials for students and young readers. She writes literary pieces such as poems and short stories inspired by real-life experiences and reflections of faith. As a teacher and journalism trainer, she uses writing to inspire, guide, and help others grow.