Validation Poem

To the little girl
With a big heart and sensitive
Who was told hurtful words
That made her feel she was worthless
Whether they were intentional or not
They still had a deep, lasting impact
Cuz now as an adult
She can't turn that voice off in her head

When she was a teen
She did a lot of foolish things
She never followed her heart
She was too busy trying to please
So someone would love her and finally see her
Cuz maybe if she could succeed
She'd finally be free
And give her the validation she never received

So she kept overthinking
And taking wrong turns
Following other's voices
Who would never let her feel heard
Now she's wasted so many years
Trying to be someone else
Wasting the gifts God gave her
Instead of being her authentic self

But the regrets they still haunt her
And the voices still taunt her
Now the wounds are just masked by her makeup as armor
But all the dreams are still there
And every day there's a prayer
That God will one day use her brokenness to help others

So she sings and she prays like her life depends on it every day
And little by little God chips the pain away
Yes he gives her wisdom through a computer or pen
And speaks through her stories of his transformative faithfulness

So every day she gets stronger
And the burdens get lighter
Even though sometimes she feels like she only steps backwards
HE knows she's a fighter
So he'll never give up
And he'll never let her go
Cuz the Lord keeps on whispering to her of his love

And as she finally learns of her true value and worth
The voices in her head get quieter and quieter
Her determination to become who God made her to be
Has become the driving force to keep on prayerfully fighting
And one day she'll be healed
And one day she'll be completely free
But until that time she's still loved
Unconditionally

And if you were ever like that scared little girl
Or maybe you are secretly struggling now
Haunted by a past that you carry around
And makes you feel like you're drowning
I want you to know you are heard and you are seen
You are loved and you have purpose
Indefinitely

No one else's negative words can take that from you
God is greater than your weaknesses
It lets him show off his power
And he can and he will use ALL of your baggage
To encourage and help you
One day
Pull up another