I've noticed a lot of media coverage on the natural beauty of women and empowering women. Whether this will make women take off their makeup and stop shaving their legs is still to be seen.
And while I can't help but think this is just a fad or a phase, I thought I would put in my two cents on the topic.
You see, I grew up the ugly child. At least that's the perception I had of myself.
It started young, though I was called beautiful as a babe. I had the Big blue eyes, white skin, high chubby cheeks. At some point it stopped being beautiful.
I remember my Mum always saying "I have to put my face on." Before we went anywhere. When I was young I found it funny but as I grew I started to become concerned. She would always talk about wanting to loose weight and how her hair was too bushy (something I inherited also).
I began to look at myself and think, 'if my Mum's not happy with how she looks then what does she think of me?'
I don't remember my Dad ever calling me beautiful either.
But what got worse was, as I got older and began to put on weight I noticed people would say 'look at your Mum and sister! They are so pretty. They are so beautiful.'
I remember my Mum being approached by a woman who asked if my Sister would come and do some child modelling for her company. She said "she's so beautiful"
I asked my Mum if I could too and hearing me, the lady gave me a look of slight discomfort and disgust. She said "such beautiful girls." But I knew she was lieing.
This continued into my teens. At one stage a boy I had a crush on saw my Mum and said she was 'hot'. My thirteen year old heart was crushed.
My Mum would always tell me to lose weight and be like my younger sister. But it just hurt me, she didn't really offer me any help.
Eventually I decided to stop listening to them, I believe it's because of God. I've been through a lot more during these times. This story is only a snippet of the whole picture.
I decided to own my looks a bit more. To block out the voices and the looks. I stopped obsessive clothes shopping and decided to just be me, be a tom boy.
And while the words I get sometimes still hurt. I've focused my energy on forming and growing my inner beauty. I don't care so much now that I don't fit into the stereotypical beauty that is expected of our world. I am growing my inner Godly beauty and choosing to live to please my Heavenly Father.
I tune out to the world and choose to listen to God. I let my big puffy hair get messy and my face look tired because that's me! I work hard and I don't care if it looks like I do!
So ladies who are reading this. Let us stop listening to a world that says beauty is on the outside. Some of us will never fit that form. Just learn to love yourself because you are loved by God.
Let's look after our bodies to further the work of the Gospel and not to gain attention for ourselves.
Let's ignore the looks of distaste from other women and just encourage each other as women created by God. Stop denying what God has created. Stop trying the change it!
Live a life that is pleasing to God! Because God is the one we answer to in the end! No one else but God!
Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character who can find?She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaffand grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poorand extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things,but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Colossians 3:12-17
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(One of my less fluffy hair days I admit.)
Everything for the Glory and magesty of our Heavenly Father!
Amen!
