When you search for me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me.
Reflection
Spring is here, and with it comes a fresh start. The days are longer, the air is warmer, and everything around us seems to be waking up. It’s like the world is telling us it’s time to grow—time to shed the old and embrace the new.
As a tattoo artist, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on what it means to live authentically. People often come to me wanting tattoos that express who they are, but I’ve noticed that sometimes, people don’t really know who they are or what they’re looking for. We’re surrounded by voices telling us who we should be, but those voices aren’t the ones that matter.
One thing that’s really been on my heart lately is watching my 15-year-old sister grow up. She’s just so… herself. It’s inspiring. At such a young age, she’s confident in who she is. She doesn’t try to be anything she’s not. She’s unapologetically herself, and honestly, it’s a lesson for me. It’s easy to get lost in what everyone else wants you to be, but watching her reminds me that the most important thing is being true to who you are—no matter what anyone else thinks.
A perfect example of this happened around Easter. My sister was getting ready for lunch with our family, and she wanted to wear an all-black, edgy outfit with chalk pink hair and a black metal belt. I found myself feeling uncomfortable. Part of me wanted to tell her to change into something “nicer,” something that would “fit in” better with everyone else’s Easter Sunday vibes. I thought, maybe she should tone it down. But as soon as I thought it, I realized—why? She was being herself. Why should I try to change her to fit some ideal that doesn’t even match who she truly is?
I ended up apologizing to her for even suggesting it. I realized in that moment that the world has a way of telling us we need to change to fit in. But authenticity is more powerful than conformity. The world will try to make you hide who you are, expecting you to fit in conveniently so others can stand next to you and blend in, but the plan for us is not to be like everyone else. That’s why we are all created differently and loved the same.
In Jeremiah 29:13, it says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” This verse reminds me that true growth and purpose come when we seek what’s authentic. Society will try to push you into a box, but we are called to embrace the real version of ourselves.
For me, spring isn’t just about warmer weather—it’s about shedding opinions that don’t serve me and making space for the things that matter. It’s a time to be real, and to focus on what helps me grow deeper in my faith, my art, and my purpose.
by Ali Clark
For Pondering and Prayer
So, what will you seek in this new season? Will you seek approval from others or the validation the world offers? Or will you seek what is true and trust that there’s a bigger plan for you? In the end, true fulfillment doesn’t come from meeting society’s standards. It comes from being true to who we are created to be.
Prayer: Please help me seek what is authentic, more than the approval of others or the expectations of the world. Thank You for the example of my sister, who shows me what it means to just be myself. May I always find my worth in You. Amen.
