The past few days have been really hard for me. I caught a nasty cold, and as a result I've had to stay locked up in my apartment. Not because I feel particularly awful, but because I can't do my job unless I feel 100% well. And even though the strict regiment of medicine and vitamin C is seemingly doing it's work, I am DETERMINED to get better by Monday so I can return to my work. I love my job. However, I have consequently been forced into the boring routine of Facebook, movies, more Facebook and more movies. I suppose I could do something productive like work on my novel, but of course being faced with endless hours of nothing to do creates immense writers block. But in the middle of my boredom with hours upon hours of social media, I've noticed something amazing. Women are beautiful. Now, don't get me wrong, i've noticed this before, but since it's been staring me in the face for the past 72 hours I can't help but be blown away by the fact.
Now, I hope you don't take this in a creepy way. I'm as straight as they come, but I have to say that in the last 3 days I have found myself just being proud to be a woman because we are simply breathtaking! I think it's so cool that females get to radiate beauty. What a rare and precious gift we're allowed. I think the thing I've noticed the most is the incredible difference in beauties. There are so many different kinds and it's amazing. I've read so many articles, seen so many instagram posts, seen dozens of luminous smiles and it makes me so proud. Women who are mothers, authors, bloggers, doctors, singers, nannies, youth leaders, sports lovers, tomboys, fashionistas, etc. I love it. I'll admit, there have been more than a few times in my life that I have looked at women who were vastly different than me, and I've burned green with envy. I've convinced myself that in order to be successful as a woman, I had to change myself to be more like that one woman who seemingly had it all. I convinced myself that in order to be pretty, I had to ditch the jeans and baseball caps, and strut my stuff in heels and pearls. That I probably shouldn't yell at the TV during football games so much because it really wasn't lady like. That I had to put down other women in order to build myself up.
But ladies, enough is enough. As I read different articles, blogs, saw videos, photo albums of amazing trips you've all been on, I began to realize that I don't envy you at all. I celebrate you! Because femininity at it's core isn't just one thing. It's a beautifully individualistic thing that God has given every single female. And it's something, I've realized that Satan is trying to diminish. He's trying to convince us that we should be just like men, or at least have the option to be. He is trying to convince us that the only true form of femininity is sensuality. He is trying to convince us that if we don't want a man to see us as "too much" we have to fit into a certain mold. He is whispering in our ears that everyone else is better than us. And it's ALL a lie.
YOU my dear sister are beautiful. Not just because you have a million watt smile, but because that smile brings warmth and comfort. You are valuable. Not because you have a boyfriend, but because from the moment God created the heavens and the earth he thought you up. You have a divine purpose, and it has nothing to do with how many degrees you do or don't have. It has to do with the fact that when God thought you up, he thought of the exact moment he wanted you to enter this earth, the exact place he wanted you, the exact plans he has for you. You are gorgeous. Not because you look like your idea of perfection. But because you don't. Because the freckles on your nose, and your crooked teeth add character to who you are. Because your heart floods everyone around you with the love of Jesus. You're amazing because you're soft and delicate. You're amazing because you're strong and courageous. You're amazing because you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
So my dear sister, I promise you this: I promise to build you up and not tear you down. I promise to speak words of life over you, not words of death. I promise to celebrate with you in your creativity and talents, and to not tear them down to make myself look better. I promise to encourage you in your dreams. I promise to not let you talk down to yourself. I promise to not talk down about myself either. I promise to remind you that you are more than enough. I promise to encourage true femininity in you, not the cheap imitation stuff that makes up the world around us. I am proud of you, beautiful girl. I am amazed by you. And I am so thankful that God made you as a reminder of who he is. Because that's who you are. Someone who encompasses who God is. Don't you ever forget that.
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