2014
Freckles and Pebbles
October 2014


“Freckles and Pebbles,” Friend, Oct. 2014, 26–27

Freckles and Pebbles

When Addison looked in the mirror, she saw only one thing.

“For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

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Freckles and Pebbles

“Mom, I have a problem,” Addison said. She took Mom’s hand and led her to the bathroom mirror. She pointed at her frowning reflection. “See?”

Mom bent closer, squinting at the mirror. “I only see my beautiful daughter. She could use a smile, though. Is that the problem?”

“It’s the freckles!” Addison said. She leaned over the bathroom counter. Her nose almost touched the mirror. “Whenever I look in the mirror, all I can see are freckles.” She pointed at all the soft brown dots on her cheeks and her nose. “Bailey’s freckles look cute. But mine just look funny.”

Mom put her hands on Addison’s shoulders. “I think your freckles are beautiful.”

Addison nodded, but it didn’t change the way she felt. “You’re my mom. You’re supposed to think that.” She sighed.

“Let me show you something I learned once,” Mom said. She led Addison outside to the garden. Mom picked up a small pebble and gave it to Addison. “Hold this up close to your eye. What do you see?”

Addison studied the pebble in her hand. She turned it over to see if she was missing something. “Nothing. All I can see is a rock.”

Mom smiled. “Now put it down.”

Addison tossed the rock back into the garden.

“Now what do you see?” Mom asked.

Addison looked around. “Lots of things. I see the little rock, but I also see the ground, the flowers, and the grass.”

“Exactly,” Mom said. “It’s all in how you look at it. Just like with the pebble, try not to focus only on your freckles—otherwise you miss seeing all the other great things about you, like how smart you are and how patient you are with your brothers and sisters.”

Mom picked up the pebble and pressed it into Addison’s hand. “Think of yourself as a whole garden, not just one pebble. Then you’ll be able to see yourself the way the Savior sees you, as a precious daughter of God.”

Audrey went back to the mirror. The first thing she saw was the same old freckles. She felt the pebble in her hand and took a step back. Now she could see more of her reflection. She saw a girl named Addison who liked reading, singing songs in Primary, and playing with her family. I like me, Addison thought—and that meant liking her freckles too because they were a part of her.

She felt happier as she thought of herself as a precious daughter of God. That made her smile, and when she did, she saw something by her mouth she’d never noticed before. Dimples!