You're listening to the Allender Center podcast with Dr. Dan Allender.

This week, Dan launches a four-part conversation with Lauren Bethel,

coordinator and leadership team chair for the International Christian Alliance on Prostitution.

Lauren shares how she came to the work of advocating for women in prostitution, and she and Dan reflect on the beauty that can be found in even our deepest scars.

Well, I mean, several things that I know about Lauren is that she is one of the most

elegant women I have known on the earth, but also hilarious, playful, lives and breathes the reality

of honor on behalf of others and herself. So is that a fair beginning?

Well, I'll take it. But at least you confirm it's true. Well, I accept it graciously.

Thank you very much. You accepted graciously, but with a little bit of reluctance.

Well, you know, it's a bit embarrassing to, you know, have so many compliments that are piled on.

Complements or descriptions.

Oh, here we go.

The therapist always.

Dan, I appreciate. I appreciate that that's the way that you see me. And right here, you're seeing

in many ways a struggle with beauty. Because to actually name what I know to be, I mean,

what I described is no different than saying you have blonde hair.

You're wearing a beautiful black.

I don't describe women's clothes, so whatever it is, it's beautiful.

Ensemble is a good word.

So do you hear how difficult it is, even with someone this mature who knows Jesus this well,

to not dismiss the remarks as compliments?

Whenever you hear someone say to you, oh, that's a very gracious compliment,

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