In a society that tends to go to either extreme when talking about bodies, I want you to know that the vessel you are contained in does not define all of who you are. In the spectrum between body shame and praising curves there is the beautiful middle where most of us live. We all have something we love about ourselves and something we wish we could change. These things we wish we could change shouldn’t be criticized. You cannot reach (change) what you criticize. It’s human nature to run from negative criticism. I’m talking about criticizing yourself, because most of us are pretty good at not criticizing some else (to their face, at least. Just keepin’ it real.) You wouldn’t say to your friend, “Holy cow, you should really use a Thigh Master because, hello?! Thunder Thighs.” Right? You might say that same thing to yourself though. NOT OK! If you wouldn’t say it to your kids or dear friends, do NOT say it to yourself! Besides, who are we to criticize what the Lord has made? We’re to love ourselves too.
What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’ (Isaiah 45:9)
…Love your neighbor as yourself.
(Matt 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Gal 5:14; James 2:8 NIV)
Here’s the thing, we need to accept ourselves and love ourselves where we are. If we can do that, than anything anyone else thinks does not matter. If you’re unhappy about some part of your body and you want and can change it, go for it. If you’ve got curly hair and want sleek locks, then grab the flatiron and go to town. If however, you have curly hair and love the locks you’re blessed to have, that’s awesome! If you’re a blond and like the way you look with purple hair instead, then dye it. If however, you’re a brunette and think you look bomb diggity, than rock that look! As long as what you’re going after doesn’t hurt anyone (yourself included) then do it. (While I’m talking about physical bodies, this applies to other things too, like maybe you are super polite and love that about yourself, or maybe you yell at your kids too much and want to change that. It’s your choice.)
Sometimes:
-Those with curly haired want sleek locks.
-Those with sleek locks long for full bodied hair.
-Tall folks wish they were shorter.
-Short folks wish they could reach the top shelf.
Personally:
-I have some weight I want to lose, so, I’m working on that.
-I love my lips! So I play them up with bright colors.
-I don’t particularly like my legs, so I rarely show them off.
-I like having fun with nail polish and so I do.
But, that’s just me. You do you.
That’s my story. What’s yours? In what ways are you a masterpiece/work-in-progress?
Own Your Story 