Being transparent for a little bit, I have been in a serious body funk lately. It doesn't matter how frequent I try to reassure myself that it takes time (6 months with both Grace & David Michael), self doubt and criticism slowly creeps in and engulfs my thoughts. I'm not enough: not skinny enough, not dressed well enough, not pretty enough, not enough.
I am not one of those women who gain minimal weight during pregnancy. It doesn't matter how strict my diet is or how much I exercise while pregnant... I gain weight. I am not one of those women who can breastfeed and all the weight will melt off. I exclusively nursed Grace for 12 months and David Michael for 9, so I know from experience it takes more than that. I am not one of those women who can just work out and fit back in my jeans. It takes discipline.
So as I look down at the scale almost four months post-partum with 14 more pounds to go...
Then I am reminded that this body and all of its lumps, marks, cellulite and all; has housed three beautiful babies. Only God can make my children so perfect, in each and every way.
Negative body image is something I have struggled with my entire life. This is not new to me. Thankfully the Lord has pulled in out of the self doubt. "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." I am so grateful for a God who doesn't see me from the outside but from my heart within. "For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." You and I have been created in the image of our God. Our purpose is to reflect His image to a lost world.
The worst part of struggling with body image issues is the pull it has on me to be self-focused. I was not created to focus on myself. I am here on this earth to bring Glory, NOT to myself, but to my Savior. Thankfully there is hope! There is freedom in our Lord Jesus Christ! Yes, I will always struggle with the flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12) of this world, but I am thankful for the Gospel that has given me the tools to fight and overcome.
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
"Home" Part 2
We are glad to announce that we have found a church. I was venting not too long ago that we had not yet found a church. Total we ended up visiting six churches and were really torn between a few. We wanted a church that first of all we would grow spiritually. All the other things we wanted in a church were just preferences and not must haves, which really can fog your view. So when it came down to finally make a decision we ended up choosing the church that we thought we would grow the most. Our new church is Grace View Church. We really have enjoyed the teaching and preaching. We are now very excited to make relationships and grow in our Savior at our new church!
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them." Matthew 18:20
Set Your Mind
After Sunday's excursion, I slept that night feeling completely refreshed and renewed. Yes I was sore, but I am not talking about my body. The Lord brought a verse to my mind, Colossians 1:2 "Set your mind on things above, not on things that are on earth." As we were sitting there looking over the view I was being reminded to "Set my mind" on Him. I am to dwell on Him, on His good news and not on the things of this world. I become so easily distracted by financial issues, dirty diapers, dealing with one car, and all the others things that seem important, but really are NOT. As we basked in the beauty, in His beauty I was filled anew.
Whatever is distracting you remember to set your mind on Him.
I hope this finds you when you need it. This life is short and filled with many distractions, continually set your heart in Him.
"Home"
I just realized last night while I was lying in bed, that Grace is almost 5 months old! I can not believe how quickly time flies!
As you know we just recently moved to a new town, which we really love! The difficult part of moving to a new town for me is finding a new church. We have visited five different churches. I learned a few years ago that there is no perfect church. Which until a few years ago I naively thought there was such thing as a perfect church. Out of these five churches, three of them have a lot of great qualities! I wish we could mesh them together, sadly we can not. I do not think our new town will officially feel like "home" until we find a church. I know that God has the right church out there for us, we are just anxiously waiting from Him. We would greatly appreciate your prayers as we embark on this new journey.
Here is Grace waiting to go to church on Sunday. I know I am her mom, but is she not the cutest!
