I've been thinking a lot about the power that we as women give men to determine our beauty. You may react to that with immediate denial, but let me explain.
...
I sat next to a super cute, nice guy for four hours on a plane last week, and we chatted about our careers, religion, family, music, love, life... I haven't been able to shake the thoughts that arose from my conversation with him. He asked me had I ever been in a serious relationship. He thought it was a little odd that I hadn't. He figured I must have been really sheltered. He thought I was really beautiful. He was shocked that I'd never even had a boyfriend. He said I had an entire section of exciting life to live. After that conversation, I started thinking, "I must be really really weird. What's wrong with me?"
Have you ever found yourself stuck on a simple comment about you from one person? Have you ever let one comment (or a lack of comments or compliments) define you?
Girlfriend. Let me tell you that I have these thoughts all the time. It's like I have this strong confidence based in who God made me to be... until someone indicates that something might be wrong with me. I don't stand a chance on my own when my heart gets entangled with the world's enticing ideals of happiness and normalcy.
I journaled and processed this experience, I talked about it with my brother and friends, and honestly have found myself really frustrated that I'm still thinking about it. Heck, I hate that I'm writing about it. But I had to remind myself that I am more than his judgment of me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made by my Lord and heavenly Father. And you, my dear, are more. More than your relationships or lack thereof. More than a compliment or the absence of compliments. More than a kiss or "never been kissed." More than the labels placed on you. We are more.
Do not let a man or any person tell you what you are worth. Only God can do that.
...
I sat next to a super cute, nice guy for four hours on a plane last week, and we chatted about our careers, religion, family, music, love, life... I haven't been able to shake the thoughts that arose from my conversation with him. He asked me had I ever been in a serious relationship. He thought it was a little odd that I hadn't. He figured I must have been really sheltered. He thought I was really beautiful. He was shocked that I'd never even had a boyfriend. He said I had an entire section of exciting life to live. After that conversation, I started thinking, "I must be really really weird. What's wrong with me?"
Have you ever found yourself stuck on a simple comment about you from one person? Have you ever let one comment (or a lack of comments or compliments) define you?
Girlfriend. Let me tell you that I have these thoughts all the time. It's like I have this strong confidence based in who God made me to be... until someone indicates that something might be wrong with me. I don't stand a chance on my own when my heart gets entangled with the world's enticing ideals of happiness and normalcy.
I journaled and processed this experience, I talked about it with my brother and friends, and honestly have found myself really frustrated that I'm still thinking about it. Heck, I hate that I'm writing about it. But I had to remind myself that I am more than his judgment of me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made by my Lord and heavenly Father. And you, my dear, are more. More than your relationships or lack thereof. More than a compliment or the absence of compliments. More than a kiss or "never been kissed." More than the labels placed on you. We are more.
Do not let a man or any person tell you what you are worth. Only God can do that.
"And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good."
Genesis 1:31
Genesis 1:31
Our beauty was never meant to be dependent on other people. That doesn't mean we shouldn't accept compliments or even desire them. But it is oh so dangerous to rely on them to find contentment.
There's nothing wrong with being a rare breed. You're beautiful, because your Creator made you that way.
There's nothing wrong with being a rare breed. You're beautiful, because your Creator made you that way.
Stay strong, friend.
Love,
Love,