Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Like Jewels

I was talking to God about my body a couple weeks ago. Sometimes the devil tries to convince me that it is not beautiful. In fact, sometimes I believe that I am downright ugly.

Jesus tells me that this is far from true. When I read Song of Solomon, I am reminded of the wonder of God's creation.

So anyway, here I am in my car, discussing my insecurities with God. I say, "God, I know girls who put pictures of thin and slim girls on their walls for motivation. I don't believe that I'm supposed to be like that. You told me that you like my curves and that they are 'like jewels'. And besides, I could sit on a bench ALL DAY!"

I don't expect God to interject any words or advice into my rant, but he does anyway. He says, "You should put pictures of Marilyn Monroe on your walls."

"...Huh?" I am not sure if I am hearing correctly. This is not fitting into my definition of "Godly advice".

"You should put pictures of Marilyn Monroe on your walls. She would motivate you to embrace your curves and realize that you are truly beautiful."

"Oh.... Well, I don't have any pictures of her and don't know where I could find any."

So the conversation ended there, but definitely stuck with me.

I'm not sure if it was that night or the following night, but God sent me the opportunity to put Marilyn Monroe in all her (clothed) glory on my wall. I was in Walmart with my older brother getting a vacuum filter and other various home necessities when I saw a rack of calendars. Seeing them next to the light bulbs surprised me and I looked through them.

I picked up a John Wayne calendar and there she was! Hiding behind Elvis Presley and Justin Bieber was Marilyn Monroe! 16 curve-filled months were less than $5 away!

Before I could decide whether or not this was a God opportunity or just an excuse to spend money on myself during this holiday season, I noticed that my brother had disappeared. So I went to find him and did not return for the calendar.

I did however return today. :-)

Even though the world's opinion on what defines beauty is constantly changing, God's is constantly constant: All of his creation is beautiful.



(I heard this song on the radio tonight. I did not know that this side of Adele existed!)

Friday, December 10, 2010

Who I used to be.

Mom asked me when I was little (I think 7 or 10), "If you could do or go anywhere, what would you do?" I said, "I really just want to stay in my room and read books all day."

Not very ambitious of me. That does not bother me though. In fact, what does bother me is that I do not know that little girl anymore who said those words to her shocked mother.

I used to devour books. As soon as I was able to read books that had chapters, I would read in bed way into the night with the help of a doll that lit up. I read the Bible a lot more too. (Maybe a little too much. I had to ask my mom what a concubine was at a pretty young age.)

Now I hardly read 4 books a year. I spent all of 2009 reading The Final Quest trilogy.

This is completely my fault. My past times have become spending time on facebook, youtube, and watching television.

I used to ride my bike just for fun with no thought of it being exercise.

I used to spend afternoons hanging out in the backyard or in the wood beyond that backyard.

I used to write short stories, comic strips, draw pictures...

I used to love boardgames and cards.

I used to go on frequent walks around the block with no thought about it.

What the heck happened?

I'm sick of being stagnant and complacent.

I plan to rediscover my imagination this upcoming year. My inner child needs to be unleashed! I was a lot smarter and used my time fully back then.