First let me start off by explaining this post, Kim over at Mom Tried It (now defunct blog) is sponsoring a blog hop of sorts. It’s not about gaining readers or getting compliments, it’s a celebration of the fact that we are beautiful (start playing sappy music now). There is so much in our culture that reinforces stereotypes and uncertainties that we as women have, that it’s good from time to time to stop and remember that we are beautiful.
I may not always remember that, but my kids certainly do. It’s fun to have Batman come running up to me and give me a great big hug and say, “Mommy you’re bootiful.”
So, I was going to change into my bathing suit and have my boys take pictures of me in honor of this to show I’m not going to hide the parts of me I’m not “proud of”,” or what have you, but that just didn’t happen today. Instead, I give you a lovely rendition of the horrible pictures they’ve taken of me in the past.
Yes, that top picture is Princess brushing my hair. So, I look at these pictures, and I see my shirts do not fit as they used to. My stomach is no longer the “adolescent abdomen,” I had before kids. I have this weirdly long neck, that is nicely called a “ballet neck,” or if you’re being mean a goose neck, or what have you. I think I have chipmunk teeth sometimes, and my hair is rather bland.
But, here’s the reality of it all is, I’m not. I’m a Princess, all girls are. I’m a Chosen Daughter of God, and I’m his Princess (1 Peter 2:9). I am beautiful because God created me, He formed me in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-16), and called me by name (Isaiah 43:1). I am part of His wonderful creation, just as the earth is part of His wonderful creation and that points us to the marvel and beauty of our Creator. Because if He can create something as marvelous and wonderful as our world and the beauty we see in it, how much more AMAZING is He?
So, I could take satisfaction in Jeff finding me beautiful, or my kids, but ultimately, the thing that I find my beauty and my amazement and my fulfillment in is God, because ultimately He is the best way to find fulfillment and peace.
Sorry Kim, I don’t think this is quite where you intended it to go, but that’s kind of where I ended up at.
You're so funny! I love reading all your stories. Isn't it wonderful when our kids say, “Mommy, you are beautiful?!” I will cherish these moments.
Love all the good stuff about God, our creator being awesome. And you're awesome too!
that was an awesome post!!! xo
Beautifully said! We all have trouble remembering this sometimes.
What a wonderful post! And I think we are most beautiful when we are doing what we are created to do. And you are!
That is a wonderful post! I think you took an awesome direction with it! Thank you for the reminder that God finds us beautiful. It is so easy to get caught up in earthly and tangible things, that you lose sight of that aspect.
Thank you for the reminder.
Great post! I think you ARE beautiful. Anna mostly says, “Mommy you have a big butt. When I grow up, I want a big butt too”.
I love the photo of you getting your hair brushed by a “professional”! So stinking cute–and beautiful and one I'm sure you'll cherish in the coming years.
thank you for this post Ticia, it is a great reminder – you are truly beautiful!!
I really loved this post! The pictures are great, and what you wrote is even better. And, I have a short neck so I've always envied people with long ones =)
You ARE beautiful. We all are! The sooner we realize that, the better.
And the oftener we realize that, for those of us with poor short term memories, the better 🙂
Thanks for sharing your story about body image! I'm currently hosting Yummy Mummy Week- a week of featured bloggers and giveaways about Motherhood. I'm also hosting a bloghop about and asking moms to share their stories, mommyfessions and photos of motherhood and body image. I'd love it if you'd submit your atticle to the blog hop and if you like what you see tell your readers about it..
-Jenn
http://www.mydeliciousambiguity.com/
Thanks for linking up! I'll be highlighting everyone who linked up to my readers at the end of Yummy Mummy Week. I hope you'll stop by throughout the week. Happy Mums Day!