i should be leaving for an errand, but quickly…
i love days that i feel especially beautiful.
because in today’s society, that’s saying something…
and i think it brings glory to God to be comfortable with who he has made you to be…
i love being a woman.
and the power we have as women needs to be wielded responsibly and not abused.
but i love femininity, beauty, and seeing beauty in others, calling forth to it, encouraging it, nurturing it.
i love that i mostly wear resale clothing but regularly get compliments – that i don’t have to spend much to dress attractively and femininely.
i love that i am slowly working my way through the miseducation that society (advertising, etc.) screams at me that my sole worth is tied to my sex appeal, beauty and youth.
i love that i often choose to go against the status quo.
i love that i refuse to conform to what society says beauty is or attractiveness is.
i love being comfortable in my own skin.
there are times i am anything but, but i love that those times are much fewer and more far between than when i was in my teens and young twenties.
i love that my value and worth is given to me by my creator and Lord and not by others.
and i love…just being a woman.
much more on that to be written. i must dash out the door to pick up the next bridesmaid dress. but i’m smiling tonight. =)
I’m glad that you are feeling that way today!!
It is such a difficult thing, learning to be comfortable in your skin, and to feel beautiful despite the constant message from society saying we are otherwise. I find that as I grow a little older it’s slightly easier. And it doesn’t have much to do with my physical appearance – I think that I am developing a confidence about who I am created to be and I am learning to embrace this and as I do so I find more and more kindred spirits. I must say though that I have never been a very confident person. I was always shy and questioning myself. I still do to some extent. And even when I am more confident about who I am, I don’t often feel beautiful. Maybe it’s because I am aware of the ugliness that lies deep in my soul. But other times I have a surface vanity that has nothing to do with true beauty. Very odd. I am constantly wavering between “Oh, I am so ugly, look at all these imperfections” and “Everyone says I’m pretty, I am pretty” and being almost smug about it (it’s ridiculous, I know). It’s so hard to stop in the middle and see the truth. I have imperfections, but the ones causing true ugliness are those in my soul. My true beauty has nothing to do with my external image, yet the beauty that God created in me can make me shine with loveliness. Will I ever be stable in this place? Will I ever be secure in my femininity and pursue only the beauty that really matters? But at the same time, I really want to be externally pretty… is that wrong? I like pretty clothes and makeup and having a fun hairstyle. I know that these are okay in moderation, but it’s so hard to find that line when you’re a female. And the vanity switch can flip in such a short amount of time. Society encourages this as well. It’s all so messed up!!
ha, looking over my writing, I realized that this wasn’t coherent at all, but I’m leaving it anyway. Take it with a grain of salt as the random thought processes in response to your blog :)
Yay for second hand clothing! My local charity shop has been playing a blinder recently. ;)
I love that you feel that way about yourself today. It’s something I struggle with so much.
@ Laura,
’m glad that you are feeling that way today!!
It is such a difficult thing, learning to be comfortable in your skin, and to feel beautiful despite the constant message from society saying we are otherwise.
I know.
I find that as I grow a little older it’s slightly easier. And it doesn’t have much to do with my physical appearance – I think that I am developing a confidence about who I am created to be and I am learning to embrace this and as I do so I find more and more kindred spirits.
Exactly. ;)
I must say though that I have never been a very confident person. I was always shy and questioning myself. I still do to some extent. And even when I am more confident about who I am, I don’t often feel beautiful. Maybe it’s because I am aware of the ugliness that lies deep in my soul.
Pondering on that one…especially in light of the post I just wrote on sin…
Hmm.
But other times I have a surface vanity that has nothing to do with true beauty. Very odd. I am constantly wavering between “Oh, I am so ugly, look at all these imperfections” and “Everyone says I’m pretty, I am pretty” and being almost smug about it (it’s ridiculous, I know). It’s so hard to stop in the middle and see the truth.
I think too few of us ever really camp out with the truth…myself included. It’s too…raw, painful, glaring.
I have imperfections, but the ones causing true ugliness are those in my soul. My true beauty has nothing to do with my external image, yet the beauty that God created in me can make me shine with loveliness. Will I ever be stable in this place? Will I ever be secure in my femininity and pursue only the beauty that really matters?
I think the answer is “yes” but it’s a process…and one in which we must actively choose to pursue and be proactive about!
But at the same time, I really want to be externally pretty… is that wrong?
Not at all – God created women as his last act of creation…he designed femininity, created sexuality, beauty, lovliness…we are meant to gloryify him through our beauty, lovliness, etc…and point towards him…reflect him…we are made in his image. It’s only when our spirit wants the attention and glory for ourselves that we start to get into trouble…it’s really an attitude/heart issue for us as women, and I find I constantly have to keep myself in check…
I like pretty clothes and makeup and having a fun hairstyle. I know that these are okay in moderation, but it’s so hard to find that line when you’re a female. And the vanity switch can flip in such a short amount of time. Society encourages this as well. It’s all so messed up!!
I know. I think moderation is key, and checking your heart is another…what’s driving you? Is it a desperate need for affirmation and validity? Or do you enjoy embracing your femininity and the beauty God has given you? These are questions I ask myself. =) And the flip from one to another, that switch, can be so easily activated so it really takes a constant awareness of one’s own heart and really – just looking to Jesus and not to oneself. And that’s where true, lasting beauty is born/refined/deepened, is it not? =) When one isn’t focused on oneself but others and the One who created you?
ha, looking over my writing, I realized that this wasn’t coherent at all, but I’m leaving it anyway. Take it with a grain of salt as the random thought processes in response to your blog :)
Very coherent. ;p
@ Razzler
Yay for second hand clothing! My local charity shop has been playing a blinder recently. ;)
I love that you feel that way about yourself today. It’s something I struggle with so much.
It can be a battle for sure! But I never want to be a woman who, when a man says he finds me beautiful, questions it because I’m insecure. I want to just be able to simply say “thank you” and embrace it for what it is – recognizing God’s handiwork and appreciating the feminine. (Whether he acknowledges a deity or not. ;p)