Dark Skin

Bible Reading: Song of Solomon 1:5; Revelation 7:9

When Mom heard a loud, gut-wrenching sob coming from Pam’s room, she knocked and then opened Pam’s door. Pam was sobbing uncontrollably into her pillow while holding a picture of herself and her sister, Kim.

“What’s wrong, Pam?” asked Mom as she sat down on Pam’s bed.

Pam looked up from her pillow. “Why couldn’t I have lighter skin like Kim? Why couldn’t my kinky hair be as straight as Kim’s? People look at her and ramble on and on about how beautiful she is. Then they realize I’m there and compliment me on how smart and athletic I am, but never how beautiful I am.”

Mom squeezed Pam’s shoulder. “Baby girl, I have dark skin too.”

Pam sniffled. “But you’re pretty, Mom.”

“So are you, but I can’t make you see that. I can only pray that God will open your eyes to see how beautiful you truly are,” Mom said.

Pam wiped her eyes. “I know the Bible tells me I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Is it wrong for me to want people to think I’m pretty too, even though my skin is dark and my hair isn’t straight?”

“No, baby girl, it’s not wrong to want people to think you’re pretty, because you are! You’re beautiful because God created every part of you, and He sent His own Son to die for you so you could be His precious child. You’re a one-of-a-kind treasure.” Mom pulled Pam into her arms. “Did I ever tell you the verse your grandmother had me repeat whenever I compared myself to the other girls?”

“No, I don’t think so,” said Pam.

“Your Grandma would lead me to a mirror,” Mom said as she guided Pam over to the mirror on her bedroom wall. “Then we would look into it, and Grandma would stand tall and recite Song of Solomon 1:5—‘Dark am I, yet lovely.’ Then she would have me repeat those words until I smiled.”

Pam reached for her Bible and turned the pages to read the verse for herself. “She’s called beautiful!” Pam said with the biggest smile. “And she has dark skin like me.”

Mom nodded. “Never forget, Pam,” she said. “Dark skin is beautiful to God.”

-Denice Mitchell

How About You?

Do you look different from other people you know? Are you ever treated differently because of it? God created all kinds of people—with a variety of shapes, sizes, hair, and skin tones—and He loves us all. He was willing to send Jesus to die for each and every one of us so we could be His children. So no matter how different you are, remember God loves you and you are special to Him.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

You are beautiful to God