I’ve always been a little odd. In high school I was considered weird to the other kids. I had a serious face with a mentality to survive. I didn’t wear the latest outfits; in fact, at one point in time, my weight loss caused my clothes to be two sizes too big.

My clothes were secondhand. I became the expert of improvisation because I couldn’t afford to replace anything. I found cheap ways to get by, and yes, duct tape was one of my favorite ways to do that. Between being overweight, having ugly outfits, and having no knowledge on how to interact with my peers, I was bullied frequently.

I remember those whispers through the halls as I walked to class. I remember being a social outcast.

I acted like I didn’t care what people thought, but deep within my heart, I had a desire to fit in and a longing to be accepted by my peers.

If I could go back in time to the sixteen-year-old “me”, there’s one thing I would say, and I know it would change everything:

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I know now that I am perfect just the way I am. I am loved by a God who knit me together, and designed me. I am a work of art, I am made perfect in his eyes and he didn’t mess up when he made me. If had known those things in high school, my time there would have been so much better.

I remember crying out to God because of my shame. Every time I looked at myself in the mirror, I was disgusted because I didn’t fit the image of those around me. But those experiences didn’t happen in vain.

I stood out. I was different.

I look back at those moments now and I realize that even then, in my broken state, I was made to shine God’s light.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way that you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
~Romans 2:12

To the person reading this who is full of shame because you don’t fit in, let it go! Shame isn’t God, and you are made to be this way. If you were here with me right now, I would wrap you into the biggest hug I could possibly give. I would open up my bible and show you scriptures (there are so many in there) that remind you that you, my friend, are His. You don’t fit in because you were made for so much more. His plan for you is to fit His image, not the world’s. So as you walk through this day, remember who you are in Him. You are transformed, renewed, and you are made perfect in God’s image.

You weren’t made to fit in, you were made to stand out.