Hey, friend.
So I shared these thoughts on Facebook almost a year ago... And somehow it has been resurfacing the last week. So it was on my heart that maybe you need to read this, too...
I have heard women use words like hate and disgust and ugly and repulse to describe their bodies... I have heard women pick apart their perceived flaws... I have heard women speak worse about their bodies than they would ever even THINK about speaking about anyone else. Does this sound familiar?
I never had the hate or disgust thoughts... My mom was diagnosed with MS when I was in 4th grade. She lost her ability to walk long distances (like the shopping mall) when I was in junior high. By the time I was in high school, she could not drive.
Being raised by a warrior mom who was still committed to showing up, I learned to be thankful...
Thankful for legs that walk.
Thankful for arms that hold.
Thankful for a mind that thinks.
Thankful for eyes that see.
Thankful for ears that hear.
Thankful for a body that grew and birthed 6 beautiful babies and carried one baby until 15 weeks who made it to heaven before us.
Thankful for a nervous system that sends messages, uninterrupted, to other parts of my body.
Thankful for a pancreas that controls my blood sugar. (Trey is a Type 1 Diabetic, and he does not have this.)
Thankful, when I lean against Trey’s chest and hear his heart beat, that my husband has a heart and that I have a heart that they are beating and giving us one more day.
I think, from an early age, I learned to honor my body.
I also learned that as long as there is breath in my lungs, and my heart is still beating - I want to honor God with my body.
I want to steward it well so that I can live the vibrant, abundant life He has predestined for me to live.
I want to wake up with enthusiasm and say, “This is a day full of possibility and potential and I cannot WAIT to see what God has in store.”
And I want to say YES to every adventure He invites me to take, and know that I have done everything I can to make sure my body can keep up with my soul and Spirit, and that my body can say a resounding YES to God when He calls.
So many of my friends have done the HARD heart-work and mental work. They have found their identities in Christ. They now just want their bodies to match their hearts.
They want to be able to say YES and KNOW they have the physical energy and stamina to follow through.
Sisters, don’t hate on what God has created. Just take steps to move forward - one step, one habit at a time - to reach your goal of a whole heart and whole BODY yes. Learn how to steward your body well.
My body is not “perfect” by the world’s standards. But it can do pretty amazing things. And I am continually working to learn and to steward this vessel well. You can too!
Love ya!