Put on Love

I have been feeling quite convicted of the way I view myself in regards to looks and beauty. It started happening when I noticed Bree watching me - always watching me. She watches me get dressed - and redressed - and redressed until I finally pick out an outfit that I don't think looks terrible. She watches me put on my make-up. She watches me blow my hair dry ... then straighten it ... then curl it ... then finally put it in a ponytail feeling discontent.

Discontent seemed to color my whole perspective. I wish I had better clothes. I wish my skin was darker. I wish my hair was shorter - or longer when it's short. I wish had those cute shoes I saw at the mall. I wish I had more fun accessesories. And on, and on, and on. You get it.

It hit me this weekend: what a poor job I will do raising my daughter to love herself if I continue on this path.

I see how beautiful Bree is, and I constantly hope she will see herself the same way. I never want her to feel like she has to do more - or do anything - to be beautiful. I don't want her to feel like the outside is what matters. I don't want her to try to live up to our society's unrealistic expectations of beauty.

So, 2011 has seen a dramatic increase of my contentment and confidence. I have felt a strong gain in these areas - but there is still work to do. 2012 needs to be a year of "putting on love" (Colossians 3:14) and "dressing modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God" (1 Timothy 2:9-10).

I want to be the example Bree deserves. I want her to know her mommy loves how God made her and loves what God has given her. And maybe, just maybe, she will learn that for herself much quicker than I did.