I was in the mailroom grabbing my packages when a Black woman in her late 60s walked in and asked if I knew which side was A. I smiled and said, “This is A, and that is B.”
To my surprise, she replied, “You’re so pretty with all that beautiful hair.”
I smiled, said thank you, and turned to finish collecting my mail. But with those few words, I was transported back to my childhood.
I realized I hadn’t heard anyone say that to me in almost 40 years. People often compliment children—but rarely adults. And sometimes, the compliment isn’t meant to inflate the head… it’s meant to mend the heart.
It felt like God Himself was bringing that moment to my remembrance—not for nostalgia, but for healing. He was reminding me of how He created me—on purpose, with beauty, with intention.
I started thinking about who I was as a little girl. How I didn’t pay much attention to compliments back then because I had far bigger problems. Growing up with an alcoholic father meant I was often focused on survival—just trying to make it through the day without getting beat.
And then, a hard truth hit me:
If this is how God sees me… if I was always worthy of love and beauty… then why did I settle for so much less? Why did I allow men not even worth my time to assign value to me that they didn’t have the authority to give?
No matter.
Today, I’m healing.
Today, I’m growing.
Today, I’m learning—every day, in every way—that God created me for GREATER in every area.
I refuse to let self-defeating thoughts take root. I will no longer nurse or rehearse past offenses.
God is restoring what I didn’t even know was broken. One unexpected compliment at a time.
iamkimblakes 
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5 responses to “When a Compliment Mends More Than the Moment”
Hi Kim! I love your appreciati
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Kim, I appreciate this post! I was driving this morning to babysit my grandson, and I began to feel so unworthy! It seems like no one likes me, because I’m so real, and I don’t tolerate foolishness. Growing up in a home, where my dad and mom was always in “church”, I always felt something was missing. No one really showed me love, and with that I feel like it contributed to my choice for men! Never had a true real relationship, but managed to marry after being hurt by my first love! The only good thing that came from that marriage were my two children! I’m now 68, and I feel so hurt! I wear a smile, but deep down I’m really depressed and alone! This morning driving to keep my grandson, everything that could hit my mind came up. Tears flowing because I feel like a failure, and I believe life should be more than what I’m doing and feeling. Having two sisters, who don’t even communicate with me, and losing my dad 6 months ago, I don’t have any say so when it comes to my mom 😭 There is so much more bottled up in me, and I need God to release this hurt! Please pray for me, I’m drowning!
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I understand those feelings of rejection. I once lived by them. I now make a practice to catch the lie and replace it with the truth of Gods word. You are loved. You are a winner. You are a victor. You are accepted. You are right where God wants you to be. Reinforce this within yourself. The devil is trying to keep you bound by defeat. He won’t win.. because you have ALREADY won! All is well sis ((hugs))
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Thanks so much for the reminder! It gets hard sometimes!❤️
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Love this!! Thank you for sharing ♥️
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