I had a breakthrough a few weeks ago.
It all started while sitting on a beach in Croatia (which I highly recommend, by the way!). I sat down in my modest tankini swimsuit and started to look around me. I realized that every single woman on the beach was wearing a bikini. No big deal, this is Europe, right? But, it got me thinking...
You see, I sometimes struggle with my body image...ok, maybe more often then sometimes. I look at others and think, "if only I could be taller or thinner or..." I can always find something that I wish I could change about myself.
So, as I was sitting on the beach, feeling self-conscious in my swimsuit, I began looking around. And I noticed something. Women of every shape and size were wearing bikinis. And they were doing it confidently. From the stick-thin supermodel types to the slightly overweight women in their 60's. No one looked at them strangely or wondered why they weren't wearing something else.
It was then that it hit me. Everyone has imperfections. Everyone. Why can't I have confidence in who God created ME to be? Why do I feel the need to be perfect? I mean, what does a perfect body look like anyway?!
As I sat there each day, I felt God speaking his truth to me. I am beautiful just as I am. No, that doesn't mean I shouldn't care about my body and what I eat or how often I exercise. But it does mean that I shouldn't compare myself to others. It does mean that I can be comfortable in my own skin, even if I'm not a size 4.
And so, I bought a bikini. Not just so that I didn't stick out as the only person on the beach not wearing one. But because it represented my "stake in the ground"...a physical reminder of God's lesson that I can be confident in who he created me to be and that I don't need to compare myself to others. Yes, the first time I wore it, I felt pretty self-conscious, but as the day stretched on, I was able to relax and not think about it. I was able to accept who I was, no matter what body shape I have. I just hope that this confidence continues...
It all started while sitting on a beach in Croatia (which I highly recommend, by the way!). I sat down in my modest tankini swimsuit and started to look around me. I realized that every single woman on the beach was wearing a bikini. No big deal, this is Europe, right? But, it got me thinking...
You see, I sometimes struggle with my body image...ok, maybe more often then sometimes. I look at others and think, "if only I could be taller or thinner or..." I can always find something that I wish I could change about myself.
So, as I was sitting on the beach, feeling self-conscious in my swimsuit, I began looking around. And I noticed something. Women of every shape and size were wearing bikinis. And they were doing it confidently. From the stick-thin supermodel types to the slightly overweight women in their 60's. No one looked at them strangely or wondered why they weren't wearing something else.
It was then that it hit me. Everyone has imperfections. Everyone. Why can't I have confidence in who God created ME to be? Why do I feel the need to be perfect? I mean, what does a perfect body look like anyway?!
As I sat there each day, I felt God speaking his truth to me. I am beautiful just as I am. No, that doesn't mean I shouldn't care about my body and what I eat or how often I exercise. But it does mean that I shouldn't compare myself to others. It does mean that I can be comfortable in my own skin, even if I'm not a size 4.
And so, I bought a bikini. Not just so that I didn't stick out as the only person on the beach not wearing one. But because it represented my "stake in the ground"...a physical reminder of God's lesson that I can be confident in who he created me to be and that I don't need to compare myself to others. Yes, the first time I wore it, I felt pretty self-conscious, but as the day stretched on, I was able to relax and not think about it. I was able to accept who I was, no matter what body shape I have. I just hope that this confidence continues...
Love this, Stacy! Amen and amen.
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