Let it begin with me

My hair is grayer than yesterday, my skin saggier, my eyes baggier and even though I worked out last night my belly is still a pudge.

Should I be resentful or envious that God did not give me J.Lo's body, Kim Hill's voice, Kay Arthur's teaching ability, Connie Rice's brain, and Mother Theresa's heart? Those are what I would have chosen if given the chance. Isn't my plan better than God's?

Now let me think about what I would have chosen for my husband....well, I guess it is best not to go there....


In our country we struggle so hard to "be me" but so often "me" is so much based on "her" or "him". We strive to be so individualistic but spent so much time shopping for the right clothes the right shoes the right lipstick the right.... Maybe abaya's are not too bad.

When I was in high school I designed and made all my own clothes because I didn't want to look like anyone else. I wanted to stress my individuality. I finally decided that took too much time and I would rather be riding or hiking or doing something outdoors. So I ended up with only jeans and t-shirts.

I have reached a compromise of sorts. I "wear other people's clothes" when I need to be socially acceptable but I am in my jeans and "t" now.

So what's the point? What I look like is not me. I think of the young boy who is totally scarred because his wacko father attempted to burn him to death. I look at Joni Erickson Tada and do not envy her athletic ability. I don't know what happened to "the boy" but if I try to look at Joni with eyes like God's I see a heart that honors Him. Hopefully "the boy" has a heart for God.

If I look in the mirror and complain about my grayness, my saggy and bagginess, I am complaining about the gifts that God gave to me. I am his work of art. I do my best (well maybe not my BEST) to take care of what he has given to me. I try to function in the realm of socially acceptable without being obsessed with my outward appearance. I do dress according to social norms - abayas are not currently "in" in the USA.


Stressing the point: I am God's child made by his hand. He designed me to fit His purpose. In this I find great honor. Why should I compare myself to the rest of the world?