Nope, I am NOT a Supermodel

For years beautiful women stared back at me from glossy magazine covers such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, Cosmo, and Glamour while I waited in line at the grocery checkout. And for years I stared back at them wondering what their lives were like. What tricks did they have in keeping their skin clear and wrinkle free. Were they born with that perfectly toned body? Did they have huge closets full of the latest tends easily accessible by an ever present assistant? Jealousy and envy ran through my veins. The models bright smiles and front page headlines promising me a "new you", get her(whatever celebrity graced the cover of said magazine) body in a week, and the must have beauty products (glowing summer skin) of the season lured me in to flipping through or sometimes even purchasing said magazine. I thought that if I did alllll of these things as the magazine suggested I would have the perfect life, a modelesque existence.

After a few months I found that I wasn't living a perfect life. I wasn't living this fairytale dream I thought would magically appear if I implemented all of these beauty and fashion tricks. Life was quite the opposite. My thirst for perfection led to pain, depression, anxiety, low self esteem, and body distortion. I had let these unrealistic beauty ideals and high (and unattainable) societal standards become the way I determined my worth.

Those few months proved to be exhausting and costly (more than just the loss of $$). I lost my true identity, my self worth, who I was at the core. I decided right then and there to dig into the Bible and do a study on how God sees me. Verses and verses just started pouring themselves into my lap, flooding my soul with love and acceptance.

Proverbs 31:25 Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in the time to come.

Reading God's own words on His thoughts of me and how much He loves me has changed my way of thinking dramatically. No longer do I concern myself with having to wear the current fashions, trying the latest products to rid myself of age, or performing everything under the sun to stop the added fluff around my middle. Nowadays, Fashion Week for me is wearing actual outfits that do not involve gym clothes. I'm not trendy in the least bit. My attire consists of t-shirt, leggings, and cardigans, and doesn't usually change with the seasons. Laid back and comfortable is my style. Perfection for me is wearing a dress with pockets, because where else can I conceal all of my snacks?

1 Samuel 16:7 says that God doesn't look at your outward appearance, He looks at your heart. YOUR HEART. YOUR SOUL. YOUR CHARACTER. What do those things show Him? Are you loving as He does? Do you have Godly intentions when it comes to your daily life? Are you actively seeking a relationship with Him? Are you serving others with a pure unadulterated heart not seeking what you'll get in return?

I found how to see my beauty and my worth though the eyes of God. It's a beauty that I cannot even begin to describe. My worth, not only as an earthly being but as a citizen of heaven, is far beyond anything our small minds can comprehend.

Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

Now before some of you throw me to the wolves, you can be a trendsetter & make up pro and still be on fire for the Lord. I'm not saying wearing trendy clothes or applying makeup is wrong. I love to play around with make up techniques. Mascara is my go to every morning. And who doesn't like to get all dolled up for an event. What I'm trying to convey is don't let these things become WHO you are. Are you the same person when you take away the make up? When you take away the fashionable clothes?

Have you lost your true self because the media has pushed and pressured you into a mold that you just don't quite fit? PLEASE don't let the world steal your true identity. Don't lose yourself to this world. You are MORE. Much more.

My worth is not found in the opinion of others. My worth is not measured by the worlds standards. When my outward appearance is stripped away, when my adornments are taken off I am unashamedly me. Humbly and meekly following the ways of the one who loves me the most. His love for me gives me the confidence to be myself.

I am not a super model.

I am a beautiful creation made specifically with purpose by the Creator of the world.

I am HIS.