Monday, September 28, 2009

Scattered Monday thoughts


Back to the Proverbs 31 woman this morning. Verse 17 says "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." Now, I'm sure her strong arms didn't come from doing Jillian's 30 Day Shred each morning... so this chapter again leads me to ask 'How does she do it!?'. I think part of the issue is that my idea of 'beauty and strength' is quite different from what it would have been in her day. Did strong arms equal chiseled biceps that look great in a tank top? I think not!

If you were wondering, I will never be mistaken for one of those people who over-exercises. I do love that post-workout feeling, all adrenaline and heart pounding. But I hate every minute during a workout. Every. Single. Minute. I was not blessed by being 'naturally thin', and I have to work for each pound I lose. (sigh... each gained pound, in contrast, is not so difficult to come by...) Tracey's brother is getting married in less than 3 weeks, and as Trace and Remy are in the wedding, I would like to make myself at the least presentable. Somewhere during the last seven years between my life in retail management and mommy-hood I traded my designer dresses for yoga pants and tees.

I would love to look like this:


But sadly, I'm shaped a bit more like this:


So... long post longer... Jillian and I have several morning dates planned in the weeks to come. And a few shopping trips to find proper wedding attire are in order, I guess. I must do my best to remember that many (I realize not all!) of these stretch marks and pounds gained were earned in carrying my two little beloveds, and for them I'd take dozens more.

1 Samuel 16:7
"But the Lord told Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Proverbs 31:30
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

My prayer today is that God would help me see what he sees, and I pray that for each of you too! Happy Monday!

4 comments:

  1. Great reminder! I have that whole passage memorized, but it's so hard to put it into practice in real life! If I spent the amount of time I do on my appearance on my soul...life would be so much different.

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  2. It seems to me that if we set about our work vigorously, our arms will become strong for our tasks. That's certainly a lesson I need to learn.

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  3. I think your prayer that God help you see what He sees in you is a prayer for us all to pray ourselves - that God would help each and every one of us see ourselves as God sees us.

    Hope you have a great week!
    Karen

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  4. such wise words from such a wonderful lady! every girl needs to hear that every now and then... and seriously, i may have a dress that you can wear. :)

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