Delaying the Inevitable

So, once again, here I sit. In front of my computer. With an outline to finish and miles to go before I sleep. (Sorry, I couldn't resist). Well, maybe not miles--perhaps kilometers? or even meters? And here I sit, thinking of how inadequate I am for the task of being a college student, of being a friend, of loving Christ. It seems like no matter how many times someone tells me I'm wonderful or beautiful or intelligent or worthy of being loved or of being friends with, I still cannot accept it in my innermost being. Silly, and irrational, isn't it? And I know these are lies. But they're terribly easy lies to believe. That's no excuse, I know. They're comfortable lies. Lies that allow me to stay tucked in my shell, never reaching out and making myself vulnerable to my friends, never really loving my neighbor as I love myself. Never really accepting the fact that I am, in some measure, valuable to my friends and family, perhaps even classmates, but most importantly to my Father and Creator.
So, here are some antidotes to these lies:

I was created out of love, to love and be loved by God, to know and be known by God.

I was created in the image of God--somehow I am a unique expression of the character and beauty of God.

No one can steal me out of your hand.

You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same.

Dust of the earth, but Thine we are.

You love Your children freely and generously; You are merciful and graceful toward them.

And God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.

What am I, that I might be called Your child? What am I, that You might die that I might live?

You know my innermost being Lord, even better than I know myself!
What a beautiful God!

At the risk of wearing out my welcome, at the risk of self-discovery, I'll take every moment and every minute that You give me