~ You're More Beautiful Than You Think ~

~ You're More Beautiful Than You Think ~

My darling and humorous husband loves to tell me how beautiful I look first thing in the morning before I even say goodbye to my comfy bed.   He says, “You are so beautiful, even with your wild and all-over-the-place hair, raccoon eyes (leftover mascara that I missed washing off the night before), no lip gloss, no make-up, just simply you.”  He says this to me so much now that my response went from “You’re kidding, right?”, to my heart melting from his genuine sincerity.   Now, let it be known, I still reach for the Sephora Cosmetic Bag!

There’s one thing though that I’ve learned to realize and it is the power that I have within me to redefine what the world calls beauty.  The world defines beauty as a small waist, perfect smiles and straight hair.   Well, I have the straight hair, but only because of the awesome hair technology treatment called ‘Keratin’ – whoop whoop!  I have discovered the ability to see my real beauty through the eyes of someone who loves me: Jesus Christ.  I’ve discovered my value is not defined by my position or possessions or how I look. 

I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!

    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

    I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

    you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Psalms 139:13-16 (MSG)

Did you know that only 4% of women all over the world think their body is beautiful? Isn't that unbelievable?!  The bizarre thing is, when asked about the worst part of their bodies, women replied within 2 seconds.  That’s quick, right?  We talk about our thighs, our arms, our nose, our hair, our belly, our toes and more.  Apparently, we know a lot of things about ourselves that we don’t like.  But what about the things we DO like?  How about a beauty challenge ladies?  Let’s start looking at the things we love about ourselves.  Instead of spending so much time analyzing, let’s be more grateful for our natural beauty and spend more time appreciating the things we do like.  

Women and girls of all ages . . . . who doesn’t take a sneak peak in a mirror reflecting object to see yourself?  From cell phones to the ipad, car mirrors, chrome teapots, toasters, windows, bathroom mirrors, to name just a few.  But, when was the last time you smiled back at yourself in that mirror reflecting object and realized you are more than what you see in the mirror?  Starting today, let’s get past the mirror.  Perhaps you could start by giving the women around you compliments, and then start giving yourselves even better ones – lighten up on yourself.  God doesn’t make junk; you’re His unique masterpiece.  Even as a mother, the way a girl feels about her beauty starts with the way you feel about yours.  Wow!  There’s a beauty legacy starting right there! You are more beautiful than you think!  Happy girls really are the prettiest girls! 

~ Mary McIver