The Blessing of…Great Legs?

LeipzigI should have been happy as I rode in the passenger seat of my minivan. Beautiful day passing by outside my window. Handsome husband chatting it up beside me. Three little girls riding peacefully behind me. An all around lovely day.

And yet, I was anything but happy. My problem? I had the image of a model from the cover of a magazine stuck in my head- seemingly perfect hair, perfect skin, perfect legs. Although I am well aware so many of those pictures are airbrushed, discouragement still set in.

“Lord, would it have hurt to make me a bit more attractive?”

My question leaked out of an aching place in my heart. A place filled to overflowing with self-doubt. A place formed by too many years of comparing myself with others and punctuated by unkind words I had allowed to stick to me and define me.

“Couldn’t You have at least blessed me with legs more like hers?”

The answer He dropped into my heart brought my questioning to an abrupt halt. It was His turn to ask me a question.

“Who told you that is a blessing?”
Who had told me that skinny thighs are a blessing? That dazzling white teeth are a blessing? That a cup size bigger than…well…ummmmmm…my own would be a blessing? Certainly not the Lord.

And where exactly in the Word had I read that outer beauty is what matters? What counts? What brings joy and fulfillment? Nowhere. Not in one single place.

In Matthew 5:2-10, we find a very different picture of what being blessed looks like. Jesus proclaimed,

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers.

for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (NIV)

And that word blessed? My Spirit-Filled Life Bible notes say it is “an adjective suggesting happy, supremely blessed, a condition in which congratulations are in order.”

A blessed life, a life where congratulations are in order, is not one where I am congratulated by the world for my amazing looks. A  blessed life is one filled with Jesus. A life dependent on Him. A life lived seeking Him and loving others.

How about you? Do you ever get hung up on your looks? Do you ever wish He had blessed you with a better body?

May we let Him speak tenderly to our insecurities today, reminding us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. That He is enthralled with our beauty. And may we allow Him to remind us that if we have Jesus, we are supremely blessed.

 

 

20 Responses to The Blessing of…Great Legs?
  1. Larri
    July 3, 2011 | 5:38 am

    Thank you for this excellent post! It’s very difficult to not feel insecure when we’re surrounded by a world of “Gotta be pretty to get ahead in life” people.

    I’ve reached a point where my hair is a new color…grey. At first, it made me very insecure. Then, one day, I decided to embrace the hair God gave me. I stopped coloring and let the grey come in. You know what? I’m kinda digging my grey! When asked where I get my hair highlighted, I tell them it’s a new thing I tried called “God-lights” 🙂

    I’m also blessed with 3 beautiful children…inside and out. I’ve made it a point to tell them they are pretty, because they have pretty hearts. They are noticed more for their beautiful spirits and nice actions than their looks. Looks can only get you so far.

    Happy Sunday! 🙂

    • Kimberly
      July 3, 2011 | 6:17 am

      God-lights! I love that! I have started getting some God-lights myself. 🙂

      Thank you so much for leaving a comment. It is always so good to know we are not alone in our insecurities BUT to also know we can turn to truth…together. 🙂

      Praying with you for our children to know where their security rests in…HIM! And to know what truly makes them beautiful. 🙂

      Blessings to you and your family!

  2. Barbie
    July 3, 2011 | 9:43 am

    I lived a life of comparison much of my life. I always wished for great legs, a better smile, nicer hair, etc. I had a revelation a few years ago that when I complained about my looks, that I was basically telling God He didn’t know what He was doing when He made me the way He did. Wow, that hit me like a ton of bricks! I am learning to embrace my inner beauty, as well as the beauty that is on the outside.

    • Kimberly
      July 3, 2011 | 12:15 pm

      So, so true, Barbie! That is a truth I have to remind myself of, as well. And I am definitely still learning to embrace my inner and outer beauty. 🙂 So thankful He so lovingly redirects our hearts!!!

  3. Jill
    July 3, 2011 | 4:42 pm

    Great post Kimberly!! Like you said in the comments it is good to know we are not alone and wonderful to be reminded of where we need to turn! As my kids, especially the girls, get older the importance of this lesson really seems to grow. A couple of years ago my little Joy said to me, “I’m not pretty.” Well as her mom I knew the truth and after my attempt at sharing that with her it was like God whispered to my heart why should she believe you if you don’t believe me? Ouch, but true…needless to say my girls and I are on a journey together! Thanks for sharing and reminding me of how BLESSED I am!! ~ Jill

  4. Kimberly
    July 3, 2011 | 5:57 pm

    He knows just what to whisper to our hearts, doesn’t He! 🙂

    And my girls and I are definitely on this journey together, too! I have in no way “arrived” in this area. How thankful I am we have the Word to cling to and His Holy Spirit to whisper truth to our hearts! Love you!

  5. Momma Shoe
    July 3, 2011 | 9:27 pm

    Kimberly – thanks, as always, for a wonderful post. I can SOOOO relate to what you shared. After having five children, my body has changed in ways I didn’t even know possible…and I already struggled with insecurity about my body BEFORE I had children! But the Lord continues to work on my heart and I, too, am one of those women who is “going grey” gracefully. I often like to think of it as silver, cause it’s sounds fancier than grey:) I like to think I’ve earned those little silver “wisdom wisps” that are starting to creep in. But I can always use another reminder about how “man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”. I pray that your new job is going well and that you and your family have fully adjusted. I’ve been blessed by your recent posts and are glad you have been able to write more frequently lately:)

  6. Kimberly
    July 3, 2011 | 10:09 pm

    Thank you so much, sweet bloggy friend! I am getting to cut back on my hours during the summer, which has been a blessing. 🙂

    And silver definitely sounds fancier. 🙂 I was going to ask my husband if my “silver” hairs mean I am getting wise, but since he has WAAAAAAAAY more silver hairs than me, I figured I had better leave that one alone. 😉 Blessings to you and your family!!!

  7. Carol Hatcher
    July 3, 2011 | 10:12 pm

    Kimberly,
    Your words washed all over me and gave me chills? “Who told you that was a blessing?” Wow. I so needed to read this today. I struggle with self image all the time. My husband is constantly wishing I could see myself the way he sees me. I wish I could as well.

    And by the way. I think you are beautiful!

  8. Carol Hatcher
    July 3, 2011 | 10:12 pm

    I meant they gave me chills. Period. Not question mark. LOL!!

  9. Kimberly
    July 3, 2011 | 10:37 pm

    Too funny…I did not even notice the question mark until you mentioned it. :)Thanks so much for your comment, sweet Carol.

    Oh, how my heart needed that question, that redirection from Him. I have always struggled with letting doubts about my looks consume me. I am so thankful He is working tenderly (though also firmly when necessary) with me on that issue. 🙂

    And for the record…I think you are beautiful, too! Inside and out!

  10. Rachel Bearn
    July 4, 2011 | 8:49 am

    Wow, what a question God placed on your heart, “Who told you that is a blessing?” Thank you for reminding me what true blessings from the Lord look like. A great, very real, very honest post…that many of us need to hear!!

    • Kimberly
      July 4, 2011 | 10:34 pm

      Thanks so much for leaving a comment, Rachel! His question certainly got to the heart of things for me! And I know it is a question I am going to need to continue to remember whenever insecurities pop back up. 🙂
      Hugs to you, sweet friend!!!

  11. Pamela
    July 5, 2011 | 11:00 pm

    Thanks. 🙂 I love how when we’re struggling with something, God shows us things in all areas of our life to bring our mind back to him. I’ve been struggling with my body lately. Just caring too much about something so external. So thanks.

    • Kimberly
      July 6, 2011 | 9:06 pm

      Thanks for leaving a comment here, Pamela. 🙂 It is so easy to get hung up on the external. I’m with you…I am so glad He speaks to us and helps us refocus on Him in the midst of our struggles!

  12. Jean
    July 6, 2011 | 4:11 am

    Thank you for the thoughtful post. He definitely guided me to it (it is 5 n the morning and I would normally be back in bed after letting the geriatric dog out!) When I was outside with the dog, I lamented how I have slipped into some bad eating habits and need to get back on track to lose the pounds so I will look better. After reading your post, I realize the bigger picture–I need to get back on track so I am taking better care of the body God has given me, and will be a happier and more effective mother as a result.

    • Kimberly
      July 6, 2011 | 9:14 pm

      So glad He spoke to you through the post, Jean. And know that I am right there with you…in needing to get back on track with eating habits AND in needing to do it for reasons other than I want to look better! Love and prayers to you!

  13. […] sister site, 5 Minutes for Faith, this past week.How often have you asked the same question?  The Blessing of…Great Legs?I should have been happy as I rode in the passenger seat of my minivan. Beautiful day passing by […]

  14. Rosilind
    July 9, 2011 | 8:13 pm

    Wow! What an incredible post!!!! (my favorite Bible, by the way, is the Spirit Filled Life Bible – that is now missing both covers and pages are starting to fall out! lol!)

    I don’t think there is a woman on this planet who hasn’t at one time struggled with this. And most likely struggle now with some sort of feeling of inadequacy over some physical feature. And we can thank Hollywood and the media for that because we are continually bombarded with with an ideal image that is computer generated – and that even Hollywood stars have trouble living up to. I just read an article the other day about the struggles actors/actresses have with drug addiction because of their efforts to stay thin. So, not even they can maintain that perfect image without practically killing themselves!

    Oh yea, I struggle with this a lot – having grown up in a family of skinny-minis. My dad and I were constantly on diets and being nearly 7 months pregnant I feel like a beached whale right now. Cellulite has taken over my body and I just feel downright unattractive from ever angle. So glad I read this post!!!! Thank you!

    • Kimberly
      July 10, 2011 | 3:18 pm

      lol. Mine is falling apart, too. But I love it too much and it has too many notes for me to use another Bible as my main Bible. 🙂

      Thank you so much for leaving a comment! Being pregnant and gaining all of the extra weight can definitely be a time that can challenge our security…especially if we are already insecure about our looks/weight!

      Praying that He really does work that last paragraph deep into your heart…that He is enthralled with your beauty and that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. I’m thinking you must look especially beautiful to Him as you carry promise, hope, and life inside of you right now! Blessings to you as you await the arrival of your little one!