tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178670891041013953.post1627677816126423154..comments2023-05-15T04:00:41.525-05:00Comments on Touching Families: Day 1—Where Does True Beauty Lie?Gaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05987644682813469036noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178670891041013953.post-46315037529278159092012-10-29T23:23:21.654-05:002012-10-29T23:23:21.654-05:00Thank you for joining my blog conversation. I loo...Thank you for joining my blog conversation. I look forward to any comments you make as I am sure anything you add will only enrich (and probably improve) anything I have written.<br /><br />Thank you for adding the perspective that it is "o.k." to have a pleasing outward appearance. In an effort to combat the world's overemphasis on outward appearances, Christian women often feel guilty for wanting to "look pretty."Gaylahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05987644682813469036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178670891041013953.post-18034844087304222632012-10-28T23:35:07.132-05:002012-10-28T23:35:07.132-05:00Thanks for inviting me to your blog. I will try to...Thanks for inviting me to your blog. I will try to read and respond to as many of your entries as I can. This issue of inner vs. outer beauty seems to be a big puzzle for women - how to not focus too much on the outside, so we can develop the inside. While I treasure the fact that God looks at the heart and cares about our character, I have personally struggled with giving my physical body and the issue of outward beauty its proper place. I waited until I was 30 years old to take the time to focus on this issue for myself. I struggled with whether it was OK for me to spend time and money searching out my style of dress, hair, accessories. After all, shouldn't I be focusing on the needs of others? Was my outer beauty really a valid use of my resources? After soul searching and talking to many other women, I decided to bring my questions, fears and desires before the Lord as an act of worship, desiring to be the best ME that I can be for him. And that included my outer shell. The following year resulted in some major changes - some much-needed weight loss, getting my ears pierced, being more selective about what I chose to wear. As a result I feel I am a more well rounded Christian woman, who like my Proverbs 31 girlfriend, works hard, serves others and tries to look her best while she's doing it. This is something I am teaching my daughters: we are beautiful because we are treasured creations of the God of the universe! What makes you attractive is your loving spirit, your kindness, your gentle heart. And, yes, you are soooo cute in those new jeans!! My conclusion? Being a woman of God does not need to be an either/or deal. Being beautiful and being godly are not necessarily mutually exclusive. I aim to be as pretty, healthy, balanced as I can on the outside as well on the inside, in this way presenting my whole entire being in worship to Christ! Becky Hedgepethnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178670891041013953.post-11154683059398521262012-10-20T23:41:39.032-05:002012-10-20T23:41:39.032-05:00Thank you for sharing and showing other ways to ha...Thank you for sharing and showing other ways to have balance. I look forward to your comments on other topics.Gaylahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05987644682813469036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178670891041013953.post-66530319926547253172012-10-19T16:23:25.648-05:002012-10-19T16:23:25.648-05:00i've found that part of what seems to help my ...i've found that part of what seems to help my kids to feel good about their own physical image is *not* fuss over my own. it doesn't mean i don't try to look nice, but i don't dwell on it, act self-conscious about myself, put myself down, or spend a whole lot of time thinking about it. it is what it is. i get up, i exercise, i take care of myself and myphisical body, i dress decently, and that's that. it's sort of like the car scenario: i do all the routine maintenance, i keep the car neat, clean, and fill the tank with gas. it gets a regular "wash and wax." But i'm not taking the car down to the local body shop and getting it all tricked out, modified, and upgraded with fancy decals and tinted windows. (On the flip side, i'm not letting the car fall into disrepair, get dirty and broken down, either!) the kids seem to follow my lead on this, and that gives us all more time to think about others.Heyruthiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13439546952256063599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178670891041013953.post-39298842066347194912012-10-03T08:03:44.609-05:002012-10-03T08:03:44.609-05:00What a blessing! She sounds like she is a wonderf...What a blessing! She sounds like she is a wonderful example to those around her that you can have joy and value without concentrating on outer appearances.Gaylahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05987644682813469036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178670891041013953.post-20649640690880224812012-10-02T22:49:53.840-05:002012-10-02T22:49:53.840-05:00Our daughter is stunning - big blue eyes and long ...Our daughter is stunning - big blue eyes and long blond hair ... and she has no self awareness at all. She just turned 15 and she is very happy with how God made her, but she focuses more on her ability to learn, to play the piano, to get along with others etc. She has no interest in boys or looking good for them, and we're quite happy about that. God has abundantly blessed us - she is committed to the Lord and loves to study the Word.Heather Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13563913535839786305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178670891041013953.post-17762195141610705142012-10-01T11:25:12.658-05:002012-10-01T11:25:12.658-05:00You're right. It's a difficult balance be...You're right. It's a difficult balance between appreciating the beauty of the body and appearance God has given us--regardless of its shape or style--and not putting too much emphasis on our appearance. No matter what you do the outside world is constantly trying to outdo your encouragement. It doesn't have to be the "outside world;" it can be trusted friends (or ourselves) as well. We all struggle with this balance, and it often comes out in what we do and say--which is then copied by little ones. You are definitely on the right track on being aware of the situation. I am sorry to tell you that you will ever "be done" with the subject; it's a lifelong attitude check. <br /><br />The good news is YOU are your daughters biggest influence. As they watch you worry less about having a perfect hairstyle, fretting over a 1/2 pound gain, or needing frequent assurance on how you look, then the more they will be able to concentrate on the beauty in your character--compassion, a love of God's Word, a servant's heart, etc.--and want to mirror that beauty as well.<br /><br />Come back daily!Gaylahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05987644682813469036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5178670891041013953.post-60040319386362435412012-10-01T09:29:04.753-05:002012-10-01T09:29:04.753-05:00I struggle with finding my own beauty (despite the...I struggle with finding my own beauty (despite the fact that my husband takes EVERY opportunity to tell me how HOT I am ;) ). Now that I have 2 precious daughters, I want to find ways of teaching them that their beauty comes from God, and can only be found in their heart, not their outward appearances. My 8yo is already concerned with her clothes, her hair and her nails ... things I am just not ready for her to be focused on! I am excited for the next 31 days!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com