The Gift of Love

As summer wedding season comes to a close, I enjoy thinking back to all the beautiful weddings that I have been able to be apart of this summer. Pure, young love is truly a beautiful thing in the midst of a broken world. I may be a romantic at heart, but there is something truly special about two people committing to love each other for the rest of their lives.

Although beautiful, it’s easy for me to get caught up in the idea of the dress, the venue, the flowers etc.  As important as those elements are, they are just two small pieces to an ever-larger puzzle. I have to remind myself that true love isn’t shown in the number of bridesmaids you have or how expensive your dress is. It is shown by the way you share God’s love with others. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13: 34-35)

Love can come in many ways, but it isn’t easy to find. If you’re like me, don’t get lost in the beauty of the wedding. Remember the love behind it. A love adorned under God flowing directly from Him. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!” (Ephesians 2:4-5)  We are able to love others because God loved us first. We are saved by grace today and every day! Join me in thanking Him for the gift of love and the beauty that comes with it!

You Are Beautiful

This week I was scrolling through my twitter feed and saw a picture of what I saw as a beautiful model in a cute swimsuit. When I looked at the caption it said, “Looking Good: Plus-Size Supermodel Robyn Lawley Models Her Own Swimwear”. For those of you that haven’t seen it or don’t know about it, the picture is below.

 



If you’re like me then you might be thinking “WHAT? This girl isn’t plus-size?” But sadly enough in the modern world she is deemed “of a size larger than the normal range”.  I did some digging and discovered that Robyn Lawley used to be a “regular” size model, but she chose her health and eating as she pleases over modeling in the mainstream world. You go girl! I can’t help but view her as an inspiration to many people struggling to see beauty in their size.

If you’re reading this, I ask you to please take care of your body. Don’t let the modern, anorexic models that define our culture be your inspiration. Stay healthy, fit, and happy. Love your body the way God loves it. You were created in the image of God, and God knew what He is doing when He made you! God sees you as a masterpiece; and when you look in the mirror, He wants you to "know that full well." Do not let anyone tell you that you aren’t beautiful.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14)