Clusters of people push and pile onto the plane. The isle is clogged with travelers, carry-ons and flight attendants. I look down and discover bright orange fingerprints tattooed across my pastey white skin. Squished in between two cheeto happy kids, I reach for the wet ones. Before I wipe away the cheesy, globby mess, the plane lifts and shoots into the air.
Once we reach cruising altitude, I notice all the Cosmo readin’ women flipping pages in synchronized motion. The bold printed articles read,
“How Not to Be a Nag,”
“Trade Your Maternity Jeans for Skinny Ones,” and
“Why Your Man Left You.”
Did I mention I’m peaking in between the seats to read this?
Who decided to squeeze our waist-high mom jean wearing selves into this unrealistic societal mold? If they think after an exciting day of potty training, wiping noses (and other places) and carpooling, we will suddenly transform into an air-brushed supermodel meets Iron Chef…they have another thing coming.
We Are Hard On Ourselves
No wonder women are so hard on themselves. A misguided society plants outrageously mixed up ideas into our hearts. Seeds of “I don’t measure up” and “I want my hips to look like hers,” take root and grow like weeds. Seedlings of doubt burst open and shoot forth until reality is shoved right out of the flower pot.
We need to stand and say, “I’m not buying this lie anymore,” and throw our Cosmo Girl in the trash.
When I obsess over what others think of me, I need to remember John 3:16…
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (ASB).
This verse doesn’t say, For God so loved the world… only if you have a proportionally perfect body, gorgeous hair, well-behaved kids and a smokin’ hot husband. He says, “I love you even if you are a complete wreck.”
God doesn’t put conditions on His love for us. Sometimes, however, I think I put conditions on my love for Him. Don’t you?
God Is Love
God doesn’t love us because we’re loveable or because we make Him feel good. God loves us just the way He made us--- bad hair days, stretch marks and early signs of aging and all. He loves us this way because He is love. He is the definition of love.
The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love, (1 John 4:8, ASB).
In the midst of a chaotic four hour plane ride, God reminds me of an important lesson. Be more God-conscious rather than self-conscious. I need to be more concerned with how I measure up to God’s standards rather than worldly ones.
As the plane touches down and the wheels roll to a stop, I decide to be happy with my own skin, in my own skin. Why?...Because God made that skin.
When I wade in waters of insecurity, I will remember that underneath this failing body, I am Jesus’ girl-- His extra-special grace girl. I am created in the image of an Almighty God…what is more beautiful than that?
Once we reach cruising altitude, I notice all the Cosmo readin’ women flipping pages in synchronized motion. The bold printed articles read,
“How Not to Be a Nag,”
“Trade Your Maternity Jeans for Skinny Ones,” and
“Why Your Man Left You.”
Did I mention I’m peaking in between the seats to read this?
Who decided to squeeze our waist-high mom jean wearing selves into this unrealistic societal mold? If they think after an exciting day of potty training, wiping noses (and other places) and carpooling, we will suddenly transform into an air-brushed supermodel meets Iron Chef…they have another thing coming.
We Are Hard On Ourselves
No wonder women are so hard on themselves. A misguided society plants outrageously mixed up ideas into our hearts. Seeds of “I don’t measure up” and “I want my hips to look like hers,” take root and grow like weeds. Seedlings of doubt burst open and shoot forth until reality is shoved right out of the flower pot.
We need to stand and say, “I’m not buying this lie anymore,” and throw our Cosmo Girl in the trash.
When I obsess over what others think of me, I need to remember John 3:16…
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (ASB).
This verse doesn’t say, For God so loved the world… only if you have a proportionally perfect body, gorgeous hair, well-behaved kids and a smokin’ hot husband. He says, “I love you even if you are a complete wreck.”
God doesn’t put conditions on His love for us. Sometimes, however, I think I put conditions on my love for Him. Don’t you?
God Is Love
God doesn’t love us because we’re loveable or because we make Him feel good. God loves us just the way He made us--- bad hair days, stretch marks and early signs of aging and all. He loves us this way because He is love. He is the definition of love.
The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love, (1 John 4:8, ASB).
In the midst of a chaotic four hour plane ride, God reminds me of an important lesson. Be more God-conscious rather than self-conscious. I need to be more concerned with how I measure up to God’s standards rather than worldly ones.
As the plane touches down and the wheels roll to a stop, I decide to be happy with my own skin, in my own skin. Why?...Because God made that skin.
When I wade in waters of insecurity, I will remember that underneath this failing body, I am Jesus’ girl-- His extra-special grace girl. I am created in the image of an Almighty God…what is more beautiful than that?
Hi Kelli, Thank you for sharing something so close to your heart. You made me laugh (peeking in between the seats.. you do that too?) and think throughout your words-- and ended up being encouraged by the time the post end. I'm so glad your voice is a part of today's jam!
ReplyDeleteI am with you... I won't even glance at those magazines in the grocery isle. It's everything God doesn't want us to be. You are absolutely right...there is nothing more beautiful than being made in His image or being His grace girl! Love your writing my friend... it blesses me every time and not just because it encourages me, but also because I get a glimpse of your heart and it makes me love you more.
ReplyDeleteWell said my friend! I have travelled the road of comparison before too!! It sucks the Jesus life right out of you!!
ReplyDeleteBe blessed today- take delight in just the way you are ;)
Thanks for stopping by my blog too :)
Thanks for visiting my blog! I enjoyed reading your post. Your realistic humor is insightful.
ReplyDelete