Thursday, September 6, 2012

(Vintage Post} Beauty

I was looking through my old blog (gogreeno) that we started when we adopted Milo... haha It starts off with a video of us bringing home our pup! 
My how life has changed in the past 2 1/2 years :) 
Anyway, for awhile I tried balancing both, but it turns out one blog is about more than I can handle. 
So gogreeno sits untouched, but I still visit frequently. 
It's a little treasure chest of memories for me, and I've realized there are some posts that I still want to share with you all. 
A few gems that I came up with in a moment of inspiration that I believe could be a blessing to someone.
Today I wanted to participate in Amanda's new Desire to Inspire link up, so I chose a post that is near and dear to my heart.
I pray that at least one woman will read this today and be inspired to love their body just a little better, not only for her own sake, but for her children's!
So here you are,  a vintage piece from the gogreeno vault, complete with tiny Lily pictures.  
Enjoy & be blessed. I'm praying that anyone/everyone who reads this today will be reminded of their eternal beauty. 
Because, girl, you are gorgeous!!

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The other day I was reading a daily devotion from Reflections for Ragamuffins by Brennan Manning. {By the way, have you ever read Ragamuffin Gospel? I think you should. Brennan Manning is so in LOVE with our Jesus and it's absolutely beautiful the way he writes about grace.} Anyway, I read this:

The narcissistic obsession with weight watching in North America
is a formidable ploy of the impostor. Despite the valid and
important health factor, the amount of time and energy devoted to
acquiring and maintaining a slender figure is staggering. No snack is
unforeseen, no nibble spontaneous, no calorie uncharted, no
strawberry left uncounted... To paraphrase Cardinal Wolsey, "Would
that I had served my God the way I have watched my waistline!"

All of a sudden it hit me. It is going to be hard raising a woman of God in this society of ours! My sweet daughter will be bombarded with image after image of an unattainable, airbrushed, worldly "beauty". How am I going to help her desire to be "clothed with strength and dignity (prov 31:25)" instead of expensive designer labels? How will I teach her to truly believe that she is "fearfully and wonderfully made (psalm 139:14)"?

I prayed about it a lot. And do you know what? It's my responsibility to SHOW her! Do I desire God more than the opinions of others? Do I genuinely believe that God creates beauty and that He created me exactly the way I am. On purpose. To be honest, not always. But I'm definitely working on it.

I've made a rule not to ever speak negatively about myself in front of my daughter. No weight comments, or unaccepted compliments. Don't get me wrong, I think it's very important to teach her to eat healthy and be active, but she needs to grow up seeing that I believe this body is wonderful. Without this body I wouldn't even have my precious Lily Belle, so I forgive it for not being a perfectly toned size 2. I pray that she will grow up so focused on Jesus and loving others that she doesn't even notice all of the unrealistic images telling her what she "should" look like.

And I pray that you will consider making yourself a similar rule. Thank God today for beautiful body he has given you. Show your kids what it looks like to pursue Jesus instead of an unattainable body image.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who loves the Lord is to be praised."
Proverbs 31:30



5 comments:

  1. Wow. Ashley, this is a beautiful post. You were an inspiration to me. I love the question you posed, "Do I genuinely believe that God creates beauty and that He created me exactly the way I am."

    I am learning to do that. That God made me uniquely myself. I really appreciate that you shared this post from your archives. You have a new follower in me! And seriously, great idea about not making comments about your weight or unaccepting a compliment. You've inspired me to try and do the same thing!

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  2. Ashley! I found your blog via Desire to Inspire and, friend, I am inspired! Especially grateful for the quote from Brendan Manning's book.

    I blogged today about a major move -- a cross-region one -- where my husband will take a new job. Our budget will have a little more wiggle room than it does today, and I've been absolutely fantasizing about what gym I might join, now that we can afford monthly memberships. And that gym fantasy has morphed into vanity and craving a skinny little figure. Health is important, but beauty is fleeting and I am so grateful, new friend, for this timely reminder. Thank you, thank you.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words! And good luck with your mo! I just read your post and I'm actually from KC :) I hope you enjoy it there!

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  3. Ashley this is a beautiful post! Would I serve God the way I watch my weight...that definitely rings true with me (although right now you can't tell it). Thank you so much for linking up with me today! I look forward to many more inspiring posts from you!

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  4. What a great rule for yourself, you're a wonderful role model for your daughter! I found you through #SheShares and I just love this post. I wrote my post on disciplining children...and this post closely follows that as I have thought too it's going to be HARD raising a child of God in this society!

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