Loving ME In This Moment!
A positive self image is one of God’s greatest gifts. It is the one thing in this world of which we can assume total and complete ownership. More than just the exterior trappings of weight, height; skin, eye, and hair color, it is also a mental picture of ourselves gleaned from personal experiences or by internalizing the opinions and judgments of others.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) says that we are God’s masterpiece. We were molded in His image and created to do incredible, miraculous things. When He looks at the creation that is “you”, He sees the Christ in you, not physical attributes like full or thin lips, cellulite or smooth thighs, broad or slender hips.Even with prominent and gorgeous features, the ample physicality of full-figured women is sometimes treated as though it were invisible. There are times when we are overlooked for jobs and promotions in the workplace, and for opportunities to partner in love. More often than not, our stature is matched by our gregarious personalities, open spirits, zest for love, and overwhelming compassion. For some folks, it is easier to ignore our presence than to equal the treasure we have within. They may mock our hearty attributes, but it is only to compensate for their lack of them on every level.
Societal forces have been increasingly manipulative, subjugating our beauty and esteem. We must realize that we don’t have to succumb, neither should we. The truth is, we are a force to be reckoned with, and those of us with positions of authority in the board room, pulpit, and community at large need not wear cloaks of power that are stained with shame. God sees the very best in us. We have been given heavenly tools to craft our self image, and it is really too bad if we allow worldly and unskilled sculptors to mold it for us. Full-figured women strut the lines of style, good taste, and glamour as well as anyone else. Sure, we have to work a little harder to find accoutrements that elegantly adorned our physiques and preserved our sassy, but we are worth it, and we have to view the extra effort as a labor of love.
The decision whether or not to love every aspect of our being is one that rightfully belongs to each individual. Every human on this planet has something about themselves that could stand a little adjustment. All of us need to take better care of ourselves with diet and exercise, but loving ourselves for who and what we are right at this very moment is the first step towards positive change of any kind.
Realize that it isn’t God’s will for you to view yourself as anything other than His glorious creation! Your unabashed adoration for your brand of beauty is a gift to your soul. So, bring your work-in-process out of the shadows, and mold it with confidence and joy. Become a craftsman of His love; bask in it, and the world will marvel as it illuminates every ounce of your lovely being.
Rev. Fran
